Japan Press Weekly

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2016 December 7 - 13 TOP3 [POLITICS]

JCP Koike answers questions from press about electoral cooperation in next general election

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on December 5 answered questions raised by reporters regarding opposition parties’ cooperation in the next general election after announcing a list of JCP candidates in 254 out of 295 House of Representatives single-seat constituencies. Following is the gist of the question-answer session.

Q: Will the JCP avoid putting up its candidates in three out of four single-seat constituencies in Okinawa?

Koike: In these three constituencies, a process of selecting candidates backed by the anti-base “all Okinawa” movement is continuing. That’s why the JCP stayed away from fielding its own candidates.

On various occasions, we reiterated that the JCP has never considered withdrawing its candidates voluntarily in preparation for the next general election. We plan to promote discussions between the JCP and three other political parties.

Q: Is there any possibility that the JCP will pull out its candidates in accordance with the outcome of the discussions?

Koike: The JCP sees the necessity of building a consensus among the four opposition parties. In this regard, the important points are to enrich policies in common; to recommend and support candidates mutually: and to seek a positive agreement on the issue of forming a government.

So far, the four opposition parties have yet to share the same view on the issue of a new government. So, the JCP has no intent to bring this issue up as a condition for discussions on electoral cooperation.

What the JCP proposes is to choose a joint candidate in each single-seat constituency based on the total number of votes that each opposition party obtained in proportional representation blocs in the July Upper House election. If this proposal gains the approval of three other parties, the JCP may decide to decrease the number of its candidates in single-seat districts. At the same time, it is essential for the three other parties to do the same.

In past meetings, the four parties’ secretaries general agreed to put the JCP-proposed three points on an agenda for discussion on electoral cooperation. The opposition parties need to hold a practical consultation on electoral cooperation.

Past related articles:
> Opposition party leaders agree to cooperate ‘as much as possible’ in general election [September 24, 2016]
> 4 opposition parties will continue working together in next general election [July 27, 2016]