EDITORIAL | CDP Candidates Who Want to be Leaders Need Realistic Security Policies

The opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) is set to call a leadership election on September 7. Known in Japanese as the "Rikken Minshuto," the election's results will be announced on September 23. 

Former CDP leader Yukio Edano has announced his intention to run. Meanwhile, current leader Kenta Izumi, whose term is expiring, has hinted that he wants to run for reelection. Moreover, some party members are calling for former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (2011-2012) to throw his hat in the ring. 

One reason for the contest is the harsh public scrutiny facing the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). It has suffered from a "politics and money" scandal stemming from the party factions' failure to report event income. 

Despite that fact, however, public opinion surveys do not show an increase in support for the CDP. 

Behind the CDC's Stagnant Popularity

One reason for its stagnant support is that the CDP has not offered realistic foreign and security policies. It still opposes the limited exercise of the right of collective self-defense. Furthermore, it has been negative towards the idea of Japan possessing retaliatory capabilities. 

It also opposes the construction work at Henoko, Nago City (Okinawa Prefecture). This construction is needed for the relocation of the currently very urban Unied States Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. 

Were the CDP to gain power and implement its current policies that would result in the hollowing out of the Japan-US alliance. That in turn would make ensuring peace and security for Japan impossible. After all, the hesitancy of the former Democratic Party (Minshuto) regarding the Futenma relocation plan ended up weakening Japan-US ties. Does the CDP intend to repeat the same mistake? 

Contradictory Policy Statements

Furthermore, CDP leaders appear unfazed by the fact that this stance blatantly contradicts the call within the party’s "Policies 2022" platform to "further strengthen a healthy Japan-US alliance." 

Today China and North Korea are rushing to strengthen their nuclear missile capabilities. Russia, meanwhile, continues to make nuclear threats. How do the candidates in the CDP leadership race propose to deal with the tense security environment and protect the Japanese people? They need to clarify their positions.

Impediment to Constitutional Revision

The are also other issues with the CDP. 

For one thing, it is impeding revision of the constitution, the foundation of the nation. During the last regular Diet session, the CDP adopted a non-supportive stance within the constitutional review committees in both houses of the Diet. They justified this position by citing inadequate responses from the prime minister and the LDP concerning the failure to report political donations from faction parties, an issue totally unrelated to constitutional reform. They are also refusing to hold hearings while the Diet is not in session. 

The "Constitutional" in the party’s name is nothing but window dressing. Instead,, CDP members appear determined to avoid debate on the issue in order to block constitutional reform. 

Coalition with the Japan Communist Party

Another point of contention in the CDP leadership tussle will concern the forms that opposition coalitions should take in various elections. 

If the CDP insists on joining forces with the Japan Communist Party (JCP). Meanwhile, that party continues to call for abolition of the Japan-US Security Treaty. It also maintains the position that the Self-Defense Forces are unconstitutional. Tethered to such positions, the CDP will not be able to gain the trust of the electorate. The question is whether it can break away from the current policy of cooperating with the JCP. 

Both Izumi, and Ichiro Ozawa, an influential Diet member who has been critical of Izumi’s management of the party, have their sights set on an Opposition victory in the next general election. But unless the CDP reinvents itself as a political party with realistic policy lines, it will not be able to form a government. That is something that all CDP Diet members, not just candidates in the leadership election, should bear in mind. 

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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun