Tuesday, August 29, 2017, 11:00 - 12:00
The Democratic Party Presidential Candidates
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation
Nearly five years after falling from power, Japan's Democratic Party (DP) is struggling for survival after its leadership resigned and a string of lawmakers defected, undermining the party's place as the main opposition force ahead of the next general election due before December 2018.
The Democratic Party is preparing to elect its new leader on September 1 after Renho gave up the top party post following the DP's stunning setback in the Tokyo municipal assembly election in July. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) also suffered a massive loss as his popular support plunged amid favoritism scandals involving the once seemingly invincible leader.
The FCCJ has invited the two candidates for the DP presidency to explain how they would rehabilitate their party, which has disillusioned the voters after three years of its reform-minded government marred by internal conflicts and unfulfilled pledges. Now the party's approval ratings remain below 10 percent.
Both candidates held key posts in DP government. Seiji Maehara, 55, is a former foreign minister known for his conservative views on security and defense. In 2005 he headed the party, which was revamped last year by absorbing a small opposition group.
Yukio Edano, 53, is a former chief cabinet secretary backed by the party's liberal wing. As DP secretary general, he was instrumental in fielding a number of joint candidates with other opposition parties, including the Communists, in last year's upper-house election, which was however dominated by the LDP.
Edano has vowed ready to continue the electoral cooperation, an idea abhorred by Maehara who is reportedly seeking a political realignment. Maehara does not rule out an alliance with a new national party that is emerging on the heels of a landslide victory in the Tokyo local election by an army of political newcomers founded by hugely popular Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, a former LDP stalwart.
Please reserve in advance, 3211-3161 or on the website (still & TV cameras inclusive). Reservations and cancellations are not complete without confirmation.
Professional Activities Committee
Yukio Edano Seiji Maehara