Lawmakers who want to revise the Peace Constitution have occupied after all over 2/3 of the parliamentary seats in the Upper House election held in July. The result is shocking, though preoccupations prevailed nationwide about the prospect. Nevertheless, the situation would be worse, if opposition political forces had failed in getting united. Pro-Constitution forces face a critical moment. It is imperative to review seriously how to continue struggles.


ORGANIZE CITIZENS’ ADVANCE INTO POLITICAL FORCE


Premier Abe ? Similar to Hitler


‘An era of high economic growth’ or ‘all 100-million people enjoy a middle-class livelihood’ ? these phrases belong to the past. Currently people feel uneasy how to survive with poverty spreading in the society. Why did the election, however, end in this result?


Prime Minister Abe uses demagogy in his speeches, like ‘the highest wage hikes in the century are maintained for three years’ or ‘be careful about sugared words, be careful about the opposition Democratic Party’. Prime ministers and leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) used to have a philosophy, but Premier Abe does not.


He does not contest seriously. He does not argue, using rhetoric and insisting and repeating convenient and aggressive expressions impudently - a way Hitler used.


Why were the voters, who feel strong dissatisfactions, beaten by the unsubstantial enemy, though the government authorities had prepared expedient conditions by threatening and controlling mass media? Distrust in politics is rampant and people are not able to overcome that. Everyone must review this reality as a subjective his/her matter.


Coalition was Successful


In all of the single-seated constituencies candidates were fielded with the concerted efforts of opposition forces. Two incumbent ministers lost the status and eleven seats were won. This is a historic deed, a result brought about by consistent mass movements against the war legislation and voluntary participation of young people and citizens as well as brave decisions of the Communist Party. If the opposition forces had failed in uniting, the more horrific situation would have emerged. The opposition Democratic Party seems to maintain this political direction of joint struggles to cope with coming general elections following dissolution of the cabinet.


The narrow victory attributes to citizens’ power. Political parties were split, though they raised similar policies in running candidates in the constituencies of proportional representation and of multiple seats. The electorate face aggravated livelihood, while political forces to amend the constitution get swollen and dominant.


People are concerned about the Democratic Party; is it able to fight the government in terms of nuclear power generation, the consumption tax, the plan to build a new military base in Henoko, Okinawa? How does the party commit in the debates on the Constitution when the ruling coalition attacks in the rear? As is seen in the sluggish outcome of the Communist Party, which proposes right policies, it is hard for a single party to represent people’s voices.


Political Party of Common Agenda


Sustained hard works are indispensable to stop amendment of the Constitution. These efforts are essential to not only empowering Article Nine which stipulates renunciation of war, but also implementing the constitutional freedoms and rights. Are citizens able to set up a political party to be an axis of the existing political parties in order to pursue humanely livelihood, to organize movements against nuclear power generation and the war legislation across the country to send representatives to the Diet? Can the Social Democratic Party or the People’s Life Party & Taro Yamamoto and Friends work to this aim?


The Liberal Democratic Party has prepared its draft of a new constitution, in which a family unit is emphasized in the provisions. A weekly for women readers covers them, which tells us a terrible society that the LDP desires to build.


Today young people and women indeed commit in politics. These forces must be brought up to counter the demagogue LDP politics. Otherwise an irreparable situation may surface.



July 19, 2016