Japan Press Weekly

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2021 October 13 - 19 TOP3 [POLITICS]

LDP feels pressured by opposition parties’ united stance: JCP Koike

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on October 18 said, “I think the Liberal Democratic Party feels pressured by the unity of opposition parties. Opposition parties’ efforts to strengthen electoral collaboration prove to be extremely effective.”

He made this remark at a press conference in the Diet building when asked by reporters about ruling LDP executives’ remarks at recent debates, including TV debates, that question opposition parties’ collaboration such as the agreement between the JCP and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on a non-cabinet alliance.

Furthermore, Koike referred to a Yomiuri Shimbun opinion poll showing that more than 50% of respondents are in favor of the fielding of joint candidates by opposition parties. He said, “The electorate welcomes opposition parties’ electoral cooperation and recognizes it as an acceptable alternative to the LDP-led government. This is very encouraging.”

According to Koike, in the House of Representatives general election slated for October 31, opposition parties will field a joint candidate in 213 of 289 single-seat constituencies.

The 213 joint opposition candidates contain 34 JCP candidates, 161 CDPJ candidates, seven Democratic Party for the People candidates, six Social Democratic Party candidates, one Reiwa “Shinsengumi” party candidate, and four independents.