More Negative on Simultaneous Election

Some news media reported that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had decided not to have a simultaneous election of Houses of Councillors and Representatives this summer. In the midst of consecutive earthquake in Kumamoto, the leaders of leading party realize necessity of recovering effort for suffered people. Lawmakers think that it will not be appropriate to have recess for general election. Although Abe has been saying negative opinion on simultaneous election, he basically wants to have it for constitutional amendment. But, wind blows against him.

Nikkei Shimbun reported on Thursday that Abe abandoned the simultaneous election, because he would have to deal with the disaster in Kumamoto for a certain period of time. Around one hundred thousands of people are still in evacuation, fearing for earthquakes. It will be cruel for them to go voting, when they are concerned nothing but how to live through today. To secure comfortable life for the evacuees must be the first priority in the politics.

Economic recovery is another urgent job. Factories of manufacturers were severely damaged, causing stop of production lines in other places all over Japan. Transportation system has been paralyzed with broken roads and railroads. Japanese economy demands immediate reconstruction, which will require additional measures in national budget. Besides, Japanese economy has been unstable from the beginning of this year.

Everyone knows that simultaneous election is political maneuver of Abe to achieve two-thirds majority in each House to take initiative for constitutional amendment. It is obvious that the people are focusing on economy or reconstruction policy rather than Abe’s personal political agenda. If he decides simultaneous election against all odds, it is unavoidable for him to receive overwhelming criticisms from the public.

If Abe were determined to have consumption tax hike a year later as planned, simultaneous election before that negative element must be the best choice. But the leaders of Liberal Democratic Party recommend postponing of the tax hike not only for avoiding negative political effect, but also for economic reconstruction in Kumamoto. Komeito and its supporting body, Soka Gakkai, have been negative on simultaneous election.

Abe is still looking for a chance to have simultaneous election. The deadline for his decision should be set at the end of May, after hosting Group 7 Summit in Japan. It might be possible that the situation in Kumamoto will be better by then. But, the decision of not having election has to be made as soon as possible before public skepticism on Abe affects the election of House of Councillors that will be held anyway.