Japan Press Weekly

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2023 September 13 - 19 [POLITICS]

Civil Alliance again calls on opposition parties to unite to counter LDP-Komei coalition

Proposed by the Civil Alliance, an executive-level meeting between the alliance and five opposition parties (Japanese Communist Party, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, "Reiwa Shinsengumi", "Okinawa Whirlwind", Social Democratic Party) took place on September 14 in the Diet building.

The Democratic Party for the People, did not show up for the meeting and did not respond to the civic organization's call.

Nakano Koichi of the Civil Alliance said that the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties continue to work in partnership under the existing election system, adding, "Opposition parties cannot rival them if they remain separated." Nakano suggested that opposition parties search seriously for ways to cooperate and work together again.

JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira said, "It is necessary for opposition parties to rebuff the groundless attacks against them such as saying, 'Joint struggles of opposition parties with concerned citizens in the 2021 general election ended in failure.' The goal in common, which is to change politics with a unified force consisting of opposition parties and concerned citizens, will continue to be important." Koike admitted that difficulties exist in forming an opposition alliance, but said, "If shown some kind of willingness on the part of other opposition parties, the JCP is ready to proceed with collaboration and will continue making efforts to move in that direction."

Nakano emphasized the need to create a framework of cooperation so that each opposition party can demonstrate its unique characteristics in order to increase the number of votes each will receive in proportional representation blocs.

Koike said that major gains in proportional representation polls are a priority for the JCP, and that the party is working on that.

Nakano said, "We hope all opposition parties will make a leap forward in upcoming elections, and also hope that an opposition alliance approach will be reestablished as early as possible."

Past related article:
> Civil Alliance to JCP: for policies which fully put into practice Article 9 and 13 of the Constitution [August 11, 2023]