The New Socialist Party (NSP) took part in the Tokyo’s election campaigns with a policy to ‘get united all-opposition forces together’. We, party members, emphasized ‘livelihood of ordinary citizens and reform of Tokyo’s local policies for that purpose’. The NSP did the best, supporting eight candidates from the opposition parties. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was defeated to gain their minimum number of seats in the metropolitan assembly in the history. Let’s wage another blow to overthrow the Abe government.


GIVE ONE MORE BLOW TO ABE GOVERNMENT!


Historic Defeat of LDP


The Abe government has forcibly passed various controversial laws; the law to protect specific secrets and the war legislation=laws on national security. Very recently the ruling coalition, using the Diet majority and disdaining people’s protest voices and actions, approved the law on conspiracy crime which had been discouraged three times before by the Diet. It was 17 days before the ballot of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election.


The law on conspiracy crime represents legislation on social order by which freedom of thought is infringed and citizens are put under surveillance. People get aware of the law’s intention. Nevertheless, the ruling parties omitted a parliamentary process of adoption in the Legal Committee of the House of Councilors to finalize by the scheduled end of Diet session. They employed a cunning tactic. It is because the ruling parties put the priority on closing the scandal on Moritomo and Kake schools. Voters in Tokyo were shrewd and did not admit the Abe government. Pride will have a fall.


NSP’s Duties


The NSP could not run own candidates in the election. We must sincerely express our apology to readers of the organ and supporters of party for our lack of ability.


The NSP did its best in the election campaigns on the ground to establish a joint front of opposition forces. Constituencies in Tokyo vary, from a district where a single candidate is to be elected to one where eight are to be elected.


An election is a race of political parties. So the NSP’s policy was to cooperate with opposition forces, or smaller parties that are unable to field candidates in all the constituencies, so that as many candidates who observe constitutional rules could win a seat in the assembly. These united efforts will simultaneously work in the coming elections of both Houses as well as strengthen people’s struggles to defend the Peace Constitution.


Governor Koike’s Political Group is Fragile


Governor Koike Yuriko has been appreciated for her efforts since her inauguration of August last year: she investigated the controversial soil contamination at a new fish market in Toyosu, disclosing the irresponsible decision-making processes, and she courageously demanded transparency in the legal branch of the local government, condemning the LDP. As for the new fish market, however, she remained unsure, raising some vague policies a little before the election campaign started.


The Asahi Shimbun newspaper pointed out a possibility that Governor would ‘cooperate with Prime Minister Abe in terms of amendment of the Constitution, which is her doctrine’. It added that the election was part of her scenario to become a Diet member.


Governor Koike advocates deregulation and constitution amendment in the same way as Prime Minister Abe. She is a right-wing politician and a nationalist. A problem lies in a fact that political forces that can accept rightly indignation of people against the LDP are weak.


Build up Joint Front


The governor’s political group, the Tomin-First (=Tokyo Citizens First), has won the biggest number of seats in the assembly. Comparing it with the Communist Party, the latter’s advancement/victory is to be highly appreciated. The NSP recommended the party’s candidates in several constituencies and struggled in unity with them.


A machinery to accept voters who are against the LDP and the Komeito cannot be built up only by the Communist Party. The NSP will develop lessons gained in the recent election campaigns to elaborate a joint front of opposition parties. The NSP hopes that the Social Democratic Party will take initiative to realize an olive-tree type coalition in cooperation with the Liberal Party and the Green Party.


Building up a joint front is the sole answer to defeat the LDP’s objective to amend the Constitution. People can find hopes and expect social changes in the political project.




July 11, 2017