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2015/01/18
New party President Okada holds press conference following election
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On January 18, following the extra-ordinary party convention to elect a DPJ President, new President Katsuya Okada held a press conference at the same venue.
Responding to questions from reporters, he looked back over the leadership election campaign, saying, “We three candidates engaged in a positive campaign, and I would like to put this to good use for the future management of the party.”
Asked by a reporter how he intended “to persuade those within the party who argue that a Basic Law on National Security is needed” to accept his more cautious perspective, Okada answered, “The current security legislation proposal considered among those Diet members does not differ much from the Cabinet Decision last July (which allowed exercise of the right to collective self-defense), in fact, depending on how you read it, the legislation may allow a broader interpretation. That’s why I cannot accept it. Anyway, it is a question of content. What is at issue is whether restrictions can truly be placed on the right to collective self-defense. Even if a Basic Law is created, if the government submits a whole swathe of specific [related] legislation, the current debate will no longer be relevant. What is important is that the DPJ properly establishes its position as a party on this issue.”
Another reporter asked Okada what issues he would like to quiz the Prime Minister about in Prime Minister’s Question Time. Okada responded, “Rather than Prime Minister’s Questions, we first need to consider the debate in the Committee on Budget and the questions to be posed by DPJ representatives. I am intending to spearhead the party attack in the question and answer session. I can’t speak about the content in detail, but one thing I would like to touch on is the economy, another is the 70th anniversary of WWII and the third is the legislative code covering our national security. We need to have a thorough debate centering on these issues in particular.”
Questioned about the possibility of a future merger with the Japan Innovation Party, Okada stated, “It is important for us to cooperate together in the Diet. In order to do this, we will need to harmonize our policies. I cannot accept comments made by former leader [Japan Innovation] party leader Hashimoto that “we will work together with one part of the DPJ.” I believe our association with the Japanese Trade Union Confederation is important, and so deliberate criticism of specific trade unions by Hashimoto also leaves much to be deserved. There is no way that we can consider becoming one party at this present point in time. If the Japan Innovation Party were to change then there may be all kinds of possibilities, but it would not be appropriate for me to discuss them now.”
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