Japan Press Weekly

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2019 November 20 - 26 [POLITICS]

Civil Alliance discusses with opposition parties regarding cooperation in next general election

The Civil Alliance on November 19 met with secretaries-general of opposition parties in the Diet building to exchange opinions about citizens-opposition parties cooperation in the next general election.

The opposition party representatives were from the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), a House of Representatives group, and the Social Democratic Party.

Hosei University Professor Yamaguchi Jiro with the Civil Alliance said, "Through our cooperation in the last two Upper House elections, we have so far been able to hold down pro-constitutional revisionists to less than a two-thirds majority in the Diet. In preparation for the next Lower House election, the Civil Alliance is hoping to project an image of a better Japanese society. So, we should refine the 13-item common election agenda we agreed upon in the last House of Councilors election."

Citing the ongoing gubernatorial election campaign in Kochi Prefecture slated for November 24 in which a united opposition candidate (a JCP member) is running, DPP Hirano Hirofumi said, "We, opposition parties, are further developing our joint efforts so as to win in this race. Our electoral victory will then take the next big step towards creating a new government."

JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira thanked each opposition party for working hard to achieve a Kochi victory and for sending more than 50 party representatives, including party heads, to Kochi to deliver campaign speeches. Koike said, "Winning in Kochi will lead to the next stage in our united struggle. The JCP as a whole is doing our utmost in the campaign."

Koike also said that the opposition camp should make clear to the general public its joint policy proposals when a coalition government is formed. He noted that the Civil Alliance and the opposition coalition are already united in the effort to restore constitutionalism, democracy, and pacifism based on the current Constitution; pursue a people-first policy by reducing economic disparities and supporting households; and conduct politics that puts importance on diversity and respects individual dignity. He added, "With this direction in mind, our party is looking to go one step further and deepen discussions with all of you."

CDPJ Fukuyama Tetsuro responded, saying, "Your party and our opposition forces have been working in concert to confront the Abe regime. As Abe's long rule is approaching its end, I believe that the next general election is going to be especially crucial. For that occasion, our party is going to enhance cooperation with you all."

Other representatives also expressed their intent to continue standing in unity with the anti-Abe opposition parties.

Past related articles:
> JCP and SDP agree to cooperate on forming coalition government [October 18, 2019]
> JCP agrees on cooperation with 'Reiwa' toward creation of coalition gov't of opposition parties [September 13, 2019]
> Shii answers questions about a coalition government initiative [August 28, 2019]