The leader of the Democratic Party for the People on Tuesday poured cold water on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's call to join the ruling bloc, following her Liberal Democratic Party's decisive victory in Japan's House of Representatives election.
Yuichiro Tamaki who leads the second-largest opposition party told a press conference in Tokyo that the need for his party to participate in the conservative coalition between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party "has been significantly reduced" as the result of Sunday's lower house race.
With the LDP having secured a more than two-thirds majority in the house in the election, which allows it to overrule the less powerful upper chamber to push through bills, Tamaki said the ruling party "can do anything on its own" regardless of the will of the other parties.
Tamaki's remarks followed Takaichi's comments at a news conference on Monday that the LDP could possibly collaborate with the DPP, including involving it in the ruling coalition, since the two parties' policies have a "high affinity."
Tamaki, however, said his party will confront the LDP-JIP camp with a "policy-oriented" mindset, though he is willing to work with the coalition as long as it benefits "people's lives."
In the election for the 465-member lower house, the DPP won 28 seats, a gain of just one, and Tamaki admitted it "fell short of expectations."
Tamaki said his party lost votes as policies it had advocated, such as its signature policy to raise the tax-free annual income threshold, were adopted by Takaichi's government and partially implemented, blurring its distinction from the LDP.
The DPP, a rising force with conservative policies, is the second-largest opposition party in both the Diet chambers, including the 248-member House of Councillors where it has 25 seats.
© KYODO
3 Comments
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BigP
“He is cutting off his nose to spite his face”. If he wants any credibility to govern he should join the coalition and take a ministerial post if offered one. It’s the only voice he will have in Japanese politics.
MarkX
Not sure what you are talking about John-San, nix is used to mean to put an end to something, especially an agreement. It is standard English!
As for Tamaki, I read he is playing the long game and waiting for Takaichi to lose popularity, then he will strike! Fat chance buddy! You had the chance to stop all of this if you had just joined with the other larger opposition parties to foil Takaichi becoming PM. But no, you wanted to be the Prime Minister yourself, and your selfishness has caused all of this!
Agent_Neo
People who complain about "nixes" will probably also scream that "homie" is discriminatory. It's ridiculous.
I can understand why Tamaki didn't want to be absorbed into the LDP.
As the largest opposition party, it's also necessary for them to voice their opinions from outside the coalition government. However, please cooperate when it comes time to amend the constitution.