Japan Press Weekly

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2021 April 7 - 13 [POLITICS]

Civil Alliance makes representations to JCP to take part in joint efforts to achieve victory in coming 3 national elections

The Civil Alliance on April 6 made representations to the Japanese Communist Party for efforts to achieve a victory in the Lower House election in the constituency No.2 in Hokkaido, the Upper House by-election in Nagano, and the Upper House re-election in Hiroshima slated for April 25.

The civic organization made a similar representation to other progressive opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

The civil society activists requested that the JCP make a collaborative effort with other opposition parties during the election campaigns in order to gain the victory of united opposition candidates as these elections will be an important step forward toward a possible replacement of the present government led by the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties.

The Civil Alliance also requested that the JCP and other opposition parties share the following policies:

- abolish the national security-related legislation, defend the Japanese Constitution;
- strengthen the medical system in order to overcome the coronavirus pandemic;
- improve support measures to protect businesses and people's livelihoods;
- change the present energy policy, shift toward a territorially-distributed economic system;
- realize a free and fair society without discrimination;
- reform the present tax system by, for example, easing the consumption tax burden.

Yamaguchi Jiro of the Civil Alliance, a professor at Hosei University, said, "A victory of the united opposition candidates in all three upcoming elections will help to spread the successful experience throughout Japan and will make a big difference in Japan." Takada Ken of the Civil Alliance said, "The concerned citizens in the three constituencies struggled very hard to realize the unification of opposition candidates. We shall win."

JCP Chair Shii Kazuo replied, "We totally agree with you," and expressed his determination to advance cooperation among opposition parties by respecting each other's differences. He added, "The JCP will be committed to achieving a victory in all three elections and carrying that momentum to the next general election so that a change in the government can come about." JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira said, "Your strong influence will help to keep opposition parties together for the three elections. By winning in these elections, let us move forward to the establishment of a new government consisting of the current opposition parties."