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

Advocate of constitutional revision Maehara becomes new DPJ leader

Following its serious setback in the general election, the Democratic Party of Japan at its Dietmember assembly on September 17 elected Maehara Seiji, former DPJ "next cabinet" defense chief, as new DPJ president. Maehara, 43, will take the post till September 2006.

House of Representatives member Maehara stated in the press conference, "I believe that paragraph 2 of the war renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution should be deleted to allow Japan to exercise the right of self-defense." He said that the DPJ will accelerate its panel's work on a constitutional draft.

Asked by reporters if the DPJ will seek to reach agreement with the Liberal Democratic Party on making constitutional revisions, the new DPJ leader said he will cooperate with the LDP in promoting constitutional revision.

He appreciated the Koizumi Cabinet's "structural reform" and approved of corporate donations to political parties.

JCP Ichida's comment

In answer to reporters on the same day, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi commented on Maehara's election as the DPJ president, as follows:

"Under its former president Okada Katsuya, the DPJ publicly made clear that 'the DPJ is no longer an opposition party. Please call us a party ready to take power.' Thus the DPJ has been competing with the ruling LDP in promoting constitutional amendments and major increases in consumption and income tax rates.

Maehara at the September 15 press conference stated that he would remake the DPJ into a fighting party. The JCP will see how the new DPJ leadership will review its basic policies and how it will deal with the LDP government." -- Akahata, September 18, 2005