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2013/01/01
New Year's address by President Kaieda
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I would like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year.
I would also like to express my three pledges to everyone who has continued to support our party despite the adverse situation we are facing, and to all of the people of Japan.
First, I will examine the state of the Democratic Party of Japan.
We have established a DPJ Revitalization Headquarters. As the chair of the headquarters, I will thoroughly examine the DPJ’s path from the historical change in government in 2009 to the defeat in the election for the House of Representatives in 2012 while taking into account expert opinions. I will identify the qualities our party lacked in our time as the ruling party, and clarify ways in which we can improve our party further.
Second, I will solidify the Democratic Party of Japan.
I will organize the party structure in such a way that enables the DPJ to concentrate and fully utilize the abilities and energies of our fellow party members around the country, including former Diet members who lost the latest election by a narrow margin and are aiming to make a comeback. I will revise the DPJ’s mission statement, which will form the cornerstone of the party’s solidity, and will clarify the DPJ’s standpoint of working hard to narrow the widening gap between the rich and poor and to firmly implement reforms.
Third, I will revitalize the Democratic Party of Japan.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which suffered a heavy defeat in the general election three years ago, returned to power as a result of the recent election. In the same election, public opinion toward the incumbent party, the DPJ, was very critical. However, the results also revealed the people’s willingness to give the past ruling party, the LDP, another chance. We will bear this situation in mind as we develop action plans and work hard to ensure the steady implementation of internal reforms.
As the proverb goes, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Thus we will not face the current situation with despair. Rather, we will work to improve our party and regain the trust of the people of Japan. In sending this New Year's greeting I pledge the revitalization of our party. I sincerely ask for your understanding and cooperation.
Banri Kaieda
President
The Democratic Party of Japan
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