Japan CDP OKs Joining Body for Merger Talks with CRA, Komeito

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on Thursday approved a plan to join a consultative body for merger talks with the Centrist Reform Alliance and Komeito. The CDP, the largest opposition party in the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of Japan’s parliament, approved the measure at a meeting of member lawmakers. The party is expected to formally adopt the plan at a meeting of secretaries-general from its regional chapters later in the day. Despite the latest decision, it is unclear whether the three opposition parties will be able to merge, as there remains a large rift between the CDP and the two other parties. The establishment of a consultative body was proposed by the CRA to the CDP and Komeito. At the start of the lawmaker meeting, the CDP leadership explained the circumstances leading up to the consultative body proposal. One member voiced opposition to joining the body if it effectively meant a merger will be conducted, while another noted the need to consider the impact on unified local elections next spring. “(Joining the consultative body) is not premised on a future merger,” CDP leader Shunichi Mizuoka said. “We will proceed with care.” CDP Secretary-General Masayo Tanabu told reporters that she will consider keeping members informed of the progress of the talks as needed. Meanwhile, Upper House lawmaker Yuko Mori told reporters she cannot agree to the measure. The consultative body will discuss the merged party’s organizational details, including the party name, as well as its basic policies and election cooperation strategy. The CRA and Komeito aim to agree on a merger plan by the July 17 end of the current parliament session. Meanwhile, the CDP has said it would be difficult to reach a decision on the matter during the ongoing parliament session, as there is deep-rooted opposition among members. Regarding the timing of joining the merged party, Tanabu told reporters that the party has said repeatedly that doing so during the parliament session is impossible. “We will decide during our discussions on when to reach a conclusion,” she said. The CRA was formed ahead of February’s election for the House of Representatives, the lower parliament chamber, bringing together Lower House members from Komeito and the CDP. The proposed full merger of the three parties stalled after the CRA suffered a serious defeat in the general election. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]