Democracy at risk -- Akahata editorial, October 8 (excerpts)

The Democratic Party of Japan in its "manifesto" proposes reducing the number of House of Representatives proportional representation seats by 80 to 100.

House of Representatives members are elected from 300 single-seat constituencies and 11 proportional representation constituencies. The proportional representation constituency system allocates seats to each party, according to the number of votes obtained.

Single-seat constituencies, which elect only one person each, discounts many votes. This system is only advantageous to major political parties. By contrast, under the proportional representation system, all votes case will be reflected in the election result.

Under real democracy, the popular will must be reflected in the Diet seat distribution. The DPJ proposal for cutting the number of proportional representation seats gives major parties advantages, which is contrary to democracy.

DPJ Leader Kan Naoto says, "The single-seat constituency system will promote the establishment of a two-party system and make it easier to change government based on election results." Whether to change government or not, however, is a matter to be decided by the people. Therefore, a reduction in the number of proportional-representation seats amounts to putting the cart before the horse.

A two-party system will bar opposition parties, except for the largest ones, from the Diet scene, only to please governing parties.

The DPJ argues that cuts in the number of seats in the Diet will help reduce the wasteful use of tax money. If the DPJ places importance on eliminating wasteful expenditure, the first thing they should call for is the abolition of government subsidies to political parties. (end)