One Year without Achievement

Democratic Party had one-year anniversary from its establishment on Monday. Integrated with some drifters in Japanese politics, the party renewed its name to obtain new supporters with hope for new politics a year ago. The fact is that the party could not obtain new supporters and supporting rate of DP has been declining. They have been unable to achieve their policy, blocked by huge power of the leading parties. Raison d’être as a political party matters.

Although it took a method of party integration with Restoration Party, which was separated between ultra-right and moderate conservative, Democratic Party was established as actually a new version of former leading party, Democratic Party of Japan. While its Japanese name had to be translated to Democratic Progressive Party, the party decided to have its English name close to its previous brand.

The party raised Renho for its leader a year ago. Having accumulated her career as a fashion model or TV talent, the lawmakers raised her as the symbol of DP in coming elections. She is well known in her active speech in the session of the Diet or in public appearance. However, one crucial weakness of her is not being accustomed to some important policies.

Difference on constitutional amendment was the fundamental problem from the beginning. While former members of Restoration Party upheld radical change of Constitution of Japan, some leftists in DP were firmly opposing any change of the provision. One compromised slogan is opposing constitutional amendment under Shinzo Abe administration. The people cannot realize whether the party will change the Constitution or not.

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Seiji Maehara, supports the argument of amending Article 9 of the Constitution, which is the symbolic provision for pacifist Japan. Deputy President of the party, Goshi Hosono, is going to publish an article on constitutional amendment for full subsidy in education, a policy which does not make sense as a reason for the amendment. Dubbed as not interested in constitutional issues, Renho made no effective attempt to settle the internal opposition.

DP’s supporting rate in a poll was 8.8% last week. It declined by 0.6 point from previous poll, in spite of serious scandal of Abe administration over the discount sales of state-owned land to an ultra-nationalist school corporation called Moritomo Gakuen. DP is even incompetent in scooping the frustration against Abe administration. Also having failed in raising a goal of no nuclear power plant in 2030, the leadership of Renho is questioned.