INTERVIEW: JAM Head Urges CRA, CDP, Komeito to Create Clear Vision

Tokyo, Aug. 12 (Jiji Press)–The head of the Japanese Association of Metal, Machinery and Manufacturing Workers, or JAM, has urged the Centrist Reform Alliance, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito to draw up a clear vision on how to rise into power. The three opposition parties are discussing their proposed integration, aiming to reach a conclusion by the end of this month. “Making an effort to overcome differences, be inclusive and stack up small agreements is important,” JAM leader Katahiro Yasukochi said in a recent interview with the Jiji Press. “I hope they will aim to be a party that realizes policies by forming a majority through dialogue while recognizing differences in views, instead of falling apart.” Opposition parties had so far “neglected” such dialogue, Yasukochi said. “If they can’t (hold such talks), they don’t deserve to take the helm of the government.” On low expectations among the public over the idea of merging the three parties into one, Yasukochi said, “This isn’t surprising as long as the public views the integration as a numbers game or an unprincipled alliance merely for an election.” “Public support will not rise unless the parties make continuous efforts to show who they are for and present visions for the country and society that the administration of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party cannot realize, rather than simply seeking to be a bigger party or highlighting what they oppose,” he said. A federation of labor unions under the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, JAM is made up mainly of unions of small and midsize companies in the machinery and metals sectors, boasting about 400,000 member workers in total. Rengo, the labor group national center, is a key supporter of the CDP and the Democratic Party for the People, another opposition party. JAM takes turns with the Japan Federation of Basic Industry Workers’ Union to endorse proportional representation candidates in elections for the House of Councillors, the upper chamber. Yasukochi said that he had no problems with the basic policies of the CRA, which was formed just before February’s election for the House of Representatives by then Lower House members of the CDP and Komeito. Meanwhile, JAM members have “various opinions” on the CRA, including calls for an early integration and suggestions that the JAM should focus on supporting the DPFP, he said. “We need to reach some sort of decision once (the CRA, the CDP and Komeito) reach a conclusion in their talks,” Yasukochi said. On possible strategies for the next Upper House election in 2028, he said that the three parties “must aim for 10 pct public approval in order to establish a two-party-like system allowing changes of government.” Discussions on candidates for Upper House proportional representation seats can wait until the election, Yasukochi stated, “If (the CRA, the CDP and Komeito) manage to create a party that secures 10 proportional representation seats, that would open doors to a wide range of options.” “I don’t think that (the strategies) need to be discussed right now, because we’re at a critical point of whether Japan will continue to have a party of liberalism,” Yasukochi said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]