SDP leaves power

Japan Press Weekly

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

SDP leaves power

Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio on May 28 fired Consumer Affairs minister Fukushima Mizuho (Social Democratic Party head) from the Cabinet for refusing to sign a Cabinet approval of the plan to move the U.S. Futenma base from Ginowan City to the Henoko district of Nago City in Okinawa.

After its leader lost her ministerial post, the SDP on May 30 decided to leave the ruling coalition. However, the party has left room for electoral cooperation with the Democratic Party of Japan.

Fukushima used to say, "To look for other 'relocation sites' is a job for the entire Cabinet. All Cabinet members have that responsibility." She also demanded the establishment of a consultative body within the ruling coalition to discuss possible "relocation sites". While it was a coalition partner, the SDP promoted its own "plans to transfer the base to the Self-Defense Force Omura base (Nagasaki Pref.) and to Saga Airport (Saga Pref.) as well as to Guam.

- Akahata, May 29 & 31, 2010