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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP announces 'Seven Key Election Policies' in opposition to LDP politics

The Japanese Communist Party has published an appeal and its election policies in preparation for the September 11 House of Representatives general election. The document is entitled "Give a Boost to the JCP, the Only Reliable Opposition Party Capable of Confronting the Undemocratic Liberal Democratic Party Policies: General Election Appeal and Seven Key JCP Election Policies."

At a news conference on August 11, JCP Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo said, "Now that the postal privatization bills have been rejected by the Diet, the government should give them up. However, the prime minister says he wants to know what the people think about the postal privatization proposal. We will debate it as one of the major election issues."

Shii went on to say:

"We will also call on voters to give their verdict on the present 'structural reform' policies that help the strong and suppress the weak.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition Democratic Party, which are often referred to as the "two major parties," are competing with each other for how fast "structural reform" can be achieved. They are also trying to spearhead massive tax increases and constitutional revisions. In these circumstances, Japanese politics needs a reliable opposition party that can confront LPD policies to solve various problems in defense of the working people. It is precisely the JCP that can play that role. Of course, this does not mean that the JCP may remain in opposition for good. The JCP has a programmatic objective of establishing a democratic government that will carry out true democratic change. However, given the present stage of development in which time is not yet ripe for such a political change,it is important for us to make clear how the JCP will play its role as an opposition party."

In concluding his remarks, Shii emphasized that the JCP can make these promises because of its party program establishing a firm policy of ending Japan's subservience to the United States and switching domestic policy from one of serving the interests of big business to one of giving priority to safeguarding the people's living standards, and also because of its persistence in working for peace and democracy throughout its 83-year history. "We will vigorously discuss the JCP's proposal for remaking Japan, its history, and ideas," Shii added.

The Seven Key Policies are as follows:

1. Oppose mass tax increases and adverse changes in social services.
2. Defend the Constitution to block the moves to turn Japan into a "war-fighting nation."
3. Stop any attempts to justify Japan's past war of aggression and colonization.
4. Reach out to Asia and the rest of the world through "opposition party diplomacy" for peace and friendship.
5. Cooperate with popular movements to establish humane living conditions.

6. Make every effort to establish clean and democratic parliamentary politics.
7. Oppose postal privatization in order to defend the post office networks and services in the public interest.

Japan's 9/11 general election

Voters go to the polls on September 11 in a general election for the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives is elected for a 4-year term. The prime minister has the right to dissolve the lower house at any time and call a general election. (The House of Councilors members serve a 6-year term, with half standing for re-election every three years on fixed election dates.)

There are 480 House of Representatives seats, of which 300 are for single-seat constituencies, where the candidate with the most votes wins. The remaining 180 are for 11 multiple-seat proportional representation constituencies, in which voters choose a party.

Political parties participating in the general election are as follows:

(Ruling parties)
- Liberal Democratic Party (249)
- Komei Party (34)
(Opposition parties)
- Japanese Communist Party (9)
- Democratic Party of Japan (175)
- Social Democratic Party (6)

The last House of Representatives general election was held in November 2003. -- Akahata, August 12, 2005