CDP, Komeito Form New Party Named “Centrist Reform Alliance”

Tokyo, Jan. 16 (Jiji Press)–The leaders of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, formerly a longtime ally of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said Friday that a new party they have created is named the Centrist Reform Alliance. On the same day, they notified the internal affairs minister of the new party’s formation. Basic policies of the new party are expected to include calls for reducing the consumption tax rate on foodstuffs to zero. They will be reflected in the new party’s campaign pledges for a likely House of Representatives election in February, with the official campaign period seen to start Jan. 27. At its launch, the new party will feature members of the lower chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament, from the CDP and Komeito. Currently, the CDP has 148 Lower House members, and Komeito 24. The CDP and Komeito hope that the new party will win many seats in the next Lower House election by impressing voters with its centrist policies, in contrast to the conservative stance of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration. In its draft platform, the new party calls for a policy shift to sustainable economic growth, the construction of a new social security model, the realization of an inclusive society, deepening discussions on realistic foreign and defense policies and constitutional reform, and continuous improvement of politics and electoral systems. CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda explained that the name of the new party represents its “basic stance of finding solutions through deliberation without leaning to the right or left.” Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito emphasized that the new party will focus on “maintaining the stability of Japan’s economy and peace.” The new party’s platform and basic policies will be announced Monday. Noda expressed eagerness to include a consumption tax cut in the basic policies, saying, “It will certainly serve as a pillar for policies.” “We’ll come up with policies from the perspective of putting consumers first,” Saito stated. Basic policies are also expected to feature regulations on recipients of political funds, highlighting a difference from the LDP, which is reluctant to limit such recipients to party headquarters and prefectural organizations, ahead of the Lower House election. Issues in focus include how to deal with security legislation, nuclear power plants and other topics on which the LDP and the CDP remain far apart. Noda and Saito have expressed a desire to encourage other parties to join the new party in order to expand centrist reform forces. Saito said that the Lower House election “will be meaningful if it becomes the first step to creating a centrist group.” Noda stated that the election will be a “battle to take the first step toward political realignment,” expressing eagerness to seek a wide range of support. Noda and Saito agreed to form a new party Thursday after holding rounds of meetings. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]