Japan Press Weekly

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2016 August 31 - September 6 [POLITICS]

JCP Secretariat Head Koike reminds DP of agreement made among 4 opposition parties

“The Japanese Communist Party has repeatedly expressed that it has no intention of pushing its own policies onto opposition parties on such issues as the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and the Self-Defense Forces. Regarding the issue of the Emperor as well, the JCP makes clear as declared in its Program that it abides by all constitutional provisions, including the provision regarding the role of the Emperor. In addition, the issue of the imperial system is not on the current political agenda. So, our policies can’t be any obstacle to the opposition parties’ joint struggle.”

This was JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira’s response to reporters who asked him about skepticism in the Democratic Party over the opposition alliance.

At a news conference held on September 5 in the Diet building, Koike said that the JCP, the DP, and two other opposition parties have continued to make sure that they together will make an effort to redress Abenomics-caused income disparities and poverty and will also cooperate with each other as much as possible in future national elections.

Accordingly, the four opposition parties jointly presented 15 bills and came up with policies in common, including a 19-item policy supported by the Civil Alliance which consists of many citizens’ groups.

Koike said, “Any agreement made upon among responsible political parties carries weight. I expect we will further promote cooperation based on the agreement we made.”

In the ongoing DP presidential election campaign, a suggestion has been made for the DP’s active participation in the parliamentary Commissions on the Constitution.

To this, Koike pointed out that the Commissions on the Constitution are forums that are part of the process of moving toward constitutional revision, not forums to discuss the Constitution in general. He said, “The four parties, in the talks held among their leaders, agreed to oppose amendments to the Constitution by the Abe government.”

He added, “In light of this, the DP should respond appropriately. I hope the DP will stand firm in its position to oppose constitutional revision and keep its commitment to the agreement made among the four opposition parties.”

Past related articles:
> 4 parties and Civil Alliance confirm many policies in common in addition to scrapping war laws [June 8, 2016]
> 4 opposition leaders agree to prevent consumption tax hike to 10% [May 20, 2016]
> Electoral cooperation to repeal war legislation agreed upon among opposition parties [February 20, 2016]