New Centrist Reform Alliance Not Ready to Assume the Reins of Government

Fledgling opposition party Centrist Reform Alliance has just published its platform and basic policies. Formed in mid-January, it brings together the key opposition Constitutional Democratic Party and the Komeito. Curiously, however, only CDP and Komeito members of the Lower House can join the new party.

Meanwhile, members of the Upper House of Japan's parliament and local assembly members will remain with their respective preexisting parties. Does this look like a responsible political party ready to form a government if it wins the upcoming election? Rather, isn't it more like a hastily-formed mutual aid society for a tough election in the Lower House? 

Some political observers also point out that unnaturally dividing the parties by membership in the Diet's upper and lower chambers may be a ploy to maximize political party subsidies. 

CDP president Yoshihiko Noda and Komeito chief representative Tetsuo Saito are the co-leaders of the new party. They have a duty to explain this situation.

Vague Platform and Policies

The new party's platform and policies are also vague and ambiguous.

For example, the platform states that "the dynamism of centrist politics that steadily advances policies that put people first is needed." It also claims to uphold a principle of "humanism that places the utmost respect on life, livelihood, and survival."

But what exactly does the term "centrist" mean? Is it a relative concept of right versus the left ends of the political spectrum?

Soka Gakkai is the group that forms the base of support for Komeito. Its late leader and honorary chairman, Daisaku Ikeda, wrote in a book, "[For us] centrist politics does not mean taking the middle ground between two opposing forces or between two extremes." Instead, he wrote, it is based on the "Middle Way" philosophy of Buddhism.

In other words, the new party needs to spell out which version of "centrist" it actually means.

New Party's Sense of Crisis

The new party's platform expressed a sense of crisis over the rise of what it refers to as "political tactics that incite division." However, the basic policies it calls for sow just such division among families and society. A good example is its promotion of optional separate surnames for married couples.

What about the Centrist Reform Alliance's basic policy regarding the security-related laws? On laws that would allow the limited exercise of the right of collective self-defense, it merely states, "The exercise of the right of self-defense for the purpose of defending our own country in a situation that threatens the country's survival is constitutional."

However, an "existential crisis" threatening the very existence of our country could also be in the form of an armed attack on a country with close ties to Japan. Then, why does the new party's basic policy contain the added condition that it must be self-defense for the purpose of defending our own country? Doesn't that create a risk that the Self-Defense Forces would be restricted in taking appropriate action in such a crisis?

Conflicting Positions

Furthermore, the CDP's core policy position has called for the abolition of "unconstitutional parts" of the previously enacted security-related laws. For former CDP members in the newly created party to abandon such a key position in the heat of an election calls into question their fundamental stances as politicians.

It is extremely irresponsible to pretend ignorance of the issue. A thorough internal party debate and sincere apology are called for.

Elsewhere, the platform does mention "improvement of defense capabilities." However, it does not call for fundamental strengthening of the nation's defense capabilities. 

Furthermore, its stance on constitutional reform also remains unclear. For example, there is no mention of the creation of an emergency clause in the platform. 

In sum, serious concerns remain as to whether the new party has the resolve to protect the nation and its people.

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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun