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On June 24, the official election campaign for the 22nd House of Councillors election got underway. DPJ President, Prime Minister Naoto Kan kicked off the campaign with a rally in front of Nankai Namba station in Osaka. He made a passionate appeal to over 2000 listeners calling for the support of the electorate to enable the DPJ to realize policies that will create a strong economy, robust public finances and a strong social security system.
Kan referred to the current economic situation, and after stating that mistaken economic policies implemented by past LDP governments had caused Japan to be stuck in an impasse for the last 20 years, emphasized, “I promise that the DPJ government, based on our New Economic Growth Strategy, will definitely rebuild the economy and set Japan on the path to growth.”
Kan also touched on the issue of the consumption tax, saying, “When public finances collapse, it is the weak that bear the brunt of this. It will take some years to make a system, and so I am calling for the creation of a forum for discussion with other political parties.” He called for understanding, saying, “I would like you to understand that it is precisely because this is an important matter that I have decided to tell you about it prior to the election.”
He called for people’s further support, saying, “The DPJ has gathered together people who are determined to do something about the state of Japan, people with vitality and talent.”
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