Japan Press Weekly

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2016 July 13 - 19 [POLITICS]

Four opposition parties agree to support pro-Constitution journalist in Tokyo governor race

The Japanese Communist Party and three other opposition parties on July 12 agreed to support Torigoe Shuntaro, a well-known journalist and a vocal critic of the Abe government, as a candidate for the Tokyo governorship. The gubernatorial race will officially start on July 14 and the voting day is July 31.

Torigoe earlier on the same day held a press conference in Tokyo to announce his candidacy. Noting that the last two governors (both had been supported by the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties) resigned over money scandals, the 76-year-old journalist promised to lead the metropolitan government based on the needs and demands of the residents. Criticizing successive Tokyo governors for having wasted a huge amount of money on large-scale public works projects, Torigoe pledged to prioritize supporting people’s livelihoods through various measures including better childcare and nursing-care services. Torigoe, who is famous for being critical of Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s move to revise the Constitution, stated that he is determined to achieve his victory and put a stop to Abe’s move.

Following the announcement, top officials of the JCP, Democratic, People’s Life, and Social Democratic parties met in the Diet building to confirm that they will endorse Torigoe and then announced the agreement at a joint press conference. The meeting and the press conference were also joined by Torigoe.

At the joint press conference, JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira mentioned that Torigoe proposed to thoroughly review the metropolitan government’s budgeting from the viewpoint of taxpayers, allocate more money to childcare and nursing-care services, and uphold the pacifist Constitution. Koike said, “These three proposals are very important. The JCP expresses its full support for Torigoe and will work hard to help him win the election.”