Japan Press Weekly

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2016 November 16 - 22 [POLITICS]

Opposition parties and Civil Alliance agree to formulate policies in common for next general election

Four opposition parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, and the Civil Alliance, which works to repeal the unconstitutional national security-related laws (war laws) and restore constitutionalism, agreed on November 17 to establish policies in common for the next general election.

In the meeting held in the Diet building, the four opposition parties and representatives of the civil movements confirmed that their common policies should deal with various issues such as the elimination of social inequalities and opposition to right-wing constitutional revision. They also exchanged views on the opposition parties’ need for closer collaboration.

From the JCP, Secretariat Head Koike Akira and Diet Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji attended the meeting.

Koike said that joint efforts by the opposition parties and concerned citizens brought about a victory of their candidates in the July Upper House election and the October Niigata gubernatorial election. As lessons learned from the Niigata governor race, Koike pointed out that the opposition parties and civil groups worked together based on a clear election platform. “In preparation for the next Lower House election, it is necessary to create policies in common by utilizing the lessons learned,” Koike added. Furthermore, regarding the opposition parties’ electoral cooperation, Koike said, “The need is to form a forward-looking agreement on the issue of a new government, in addition to creating a system for the opposition forces to give support to and endorsement of each other.”

Democratic Party Secretary General Noda Yoshihiko referred to the four party-agreement which calls for as much electoral cooperation as possible and said, “In order to face up to and overcome the Abe government, we need to join hands with concerned citizens.” Secretaries general of the Social Democratic and Liberal parties separately emphasized the need to draw up policies in common and to maintain opposition parties’ cooperation in elections.

Past related articles:
> Joint opposition candidate wins Niigata gubernatorial election [October 17, 2016]
> JCP Secretariat Head Koike reminds DP of agreement made among 4 opposition parties [September 6, 2016]
> 2 sitting ministers lose in Okinawa and Fukushima voting districts [July 11 & 12, 2016]