A great attention was paid to the governor’s election in Kochi Prefecture as it was a race between the ruling and opposition blocs. We have committed in the election campaign, though it was short time, to learn lessons and find out tasks for the future. Candidate Matsumoto Kenji lost, but we were successful in organizing opposition forces. He was a unified contender supported by five political parties, including the New Socialist Party. Let’s look back at our activities to seek for a better path toward the future.

JOINT EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE UP TO COMING GENERAL ELECTIONS

Advances made in multiparty activities

During the election campaign in total 55 opposition lawmakers as well as President Okazaki Hiromi of the New Socialist Party came to the prefecture to hold up the candidate, which showed straight mobilization of all opposition organizations.

A central election office was set up jointly, incorporating all bodies which oppose the ruling coalition government. This kind of experience was the first in Kochi. Branch offices have spread to various cities and towns across the prefecture to promote the candidate. In the course of campaign opposition political parties and civic groups worked together to consolidate relations. That has left us a basis of future struggles.

However, the voting rate was 47.67%, which was the second lowest record. Under the circumstances Mr. Matsumoto slightly decreased the acquired votes, compared with that he gained in the July election for the Upper House. Though the governor’s election and the state’s one are quite different in terms of conscience of voters, the result tells us the electorate had severe judgment on the unity of opposition groups.

The Matsumoto group focused, in particular, on the recent governors’ elections held in Saitama and Iwate Prefectures where opposition blocs won. Our objective was to make united efforts to forecast the coming general elections, analyzing these two elections of the prefectural level. The candidate’s camp insisted on ‘realizing independent Kochi prefecture’s politics and refraining from simple obedience to the Abe government’s politics’. Unfortunately, however, our electoral efforts could not overcome a barrier: voters were impressed with a proxy election to represent state-level politics.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito coalition camp ran as its candidate a former bureaucrat nominated by the ex-governor, who had won twice in the elections without voting. It was natural for residents to be embarrassed when they were abruptly told not to follow Abe politics.

The former governor Ozaki’s policy won 90% trust, according to surveys held by local newspaper companies during the campaign. Voters chose the ruling coalition candidate who emphasized ‘succession or disruption’ of the on-going prefectural policy.

Efforts to pursue joint struggle of opposition forces

Nevertheless, the Matsumoto camp fought effectively. The candidate, who is 35 years old, obtained 40% of ballots in favor, as he is a member of the Japanese Communist Party. The feat is a fruit of joint efforts.

On November 19 after a start of election campaign, a meeting was held of the constitutional parties and civic groups to exchange opinions. The civic organizations had presented the Thirteen Common Political Agenda during the July election which were accepted by these parties. The opposition groups, after the governor’s election, consider more firmly of a necessity to develop and enhance relationships in order to cope with the coming general elections.

Full unity, however, is not reached, as is seen in a 5% consumption tax rate issue. It will be hard to let people expect confidently an opposition government, but the constitutional political parties should make further efforts to field jointly supported candidates and, finally, to alter the government under the today’s circumastances.

To this aim the constitutional parties should use flexible tactics, rejecting obsolete sense on the national level elections; building up a mobilization basis for electoral campaigns and splitting of existing political parties under the existing election system of small-constituency with a proportional representation channel.

December 17, 2019