Newly elected Liberal Democratic Party President Shigeru Ishiba’s proposal to hold a general election on October 27 has caused concern for the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ). They fear that they won’t have enough time to reach agreements on cooperation with other opposition parties before the race. This could result in their candidates running against each other and in smaller constituencies.
CDPJ leader Yoshihiko Noda expressed his discontent during a press conference in Tokyo, stating, “It is disrespectful to the Diet that [Ishiba] has decided to dissolve the House of Representatives without even being designated as prime minister.”
Noda also announced that the CDPJ plans to field over 200 candidates for the upcoming lower house election. Meanwhile, Tomoko Tamura, chair of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), stated at their third central committee general meeting that they would “field candidates to the maximum extent possible even in single-seat constituencies.”
However, there has been backlash within the JCP towards CDPJ due to Noda’s cautious stance on immediately repealing unconstitutional portions of security-related laws. Tamura expressed her disappointment by saying, “The conditions for us to build a united front [with CDPJ] have been fundamentally undermined.”
Noda insists that there should only be one opposition party fielding a candidate in constituencies where LDP candidates have been weakened by their involvement in political funds scandals. However, Japan Innovation Party Secretary General Fumitake Fujita believes this will be quite difficult.
Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki stated that they will make a decision after hearing what CDPJ has to say.
Ishiba’s plan for an early general election has created tension among opposition parties as they scramble to coordinate and strategize before entering into electoral competition.
