Scholars' analyses shows DPJ as ambivalent and immature

Japan Press Weekly

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

Scholars' analyses shows DPJ as ambivalent and immature

Academics studying electoral politics say that the Democratic Party of Japan, the nation's main opposition party, is too ambiguous and immature to be a political party.

At its general meeting and study session on May 16 and 17 in Kyoto City, the Japanese Association of Electoral Studies (JAES) discussed the structural analysis of the DPJ along with political parties' media strategies and other issues.

Participants pointed out that the DPJ's local structures and the election of the party officials has revealed its ambiguity and immaturity.

Analyzing the relation between the DPJ and the electorate, one academic said, "Although it is said that the DPJ is trying to expand its support based on its policies, the truth is that its policies will have little effect on the actual voting."

Another said, "Voters have different images regarding the DPJ. This is an illustration of the ambiguity of the DPJ."

In the study meeting discussing media strategy of political parties, a Liberal Democratic Party public relations officer said, "The LDP organ paper is for core supporters and deals only with political news, as distinct from the JCP newspaper Akahata, which is based on a clear strategy of winning broader public support, and has sports and other cultural news items like commercial newspapers."

- Akahata, May 18, 2009