Japan Press Weekly

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2012 September 12 - 18 TOP3 [POLITICS]

JCP chair warns about hawkish nature of candidates for DPJ and LDP presidential elections

Commenting on the presidential elections of the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on September 14 said, “We need to be aware that the two party’s elections show a strong tendency toward hawkish policies.”

Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko will contest with three rivals for the DPJ presidency on September 21. Five days later, a new LDP leader will be elected from among five candidates, including former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

Shii pointed out that all five LDP presidential candidates advocate constitutional revision, accept partial exercise of the right to collective self-defense, and intend to incorporate the creation of a national armed force into an amended constitution.

“The LDP has displayed its hawkish tendency since it was the ruling party, but now the tendency has become even stronger,” he added.

Shii also criticized Prime Minister Noda for saying that discussions regarding the exercise of collective self-defense right should be held in the Diet as soon as feasible.

Citing opposition from the majority of the public to an increase in the consumption tax rate and widespread public movements against the reactivation of offline nuclear reactors, the planned Osprey deployment, and Japan’s participation in TPP negotiations, Shii said, “Japanese politics is now at a crucial turning point. The JCP will work hard to stop the move in a hawkish direction by working together with various public movements.”