|
On May 18, DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano responded to reporters’ questions inside the Diet, giving his opinion on the results of the local referendum on the Osaka Metropolis plan.
Edano expressed his opinion on the referendum, saying: “The residents of Osaka city have made their choice in a direct referendum, which is truly an example of self-government by local residents. I would like Osaka city and Osaka prefecture to take this conclusion seriously and develop their policies based on the goals of local autonomy.” He said that the referendum had raised the extremely important issue of coordination between the prefectural and municipal governments, and stated, “I would like our party headquarters for Osaka prefecture and DPJ members of the Osaka municipal assembly to take on board not only the result of the referendum, but also the issues raised by the process itself, and to work toward thorough rehabilitation of the DPJ in Osaka, keeping the goal of the next unified local elections in 4 years’ time in mind. Party headquarters will provide back-up for this.”
Edano went on to comment on the possibility of future cooperation between the DPJ and the Japan Innovation Party, saying, “Right now in the Diet we are facing extremely significant issues such as labor legislation and security legislation. I believe that the Japan Innovation Party will play their part and fulfill their responsibilities in the Diet. While taking account of the Japan Innovation Party’s current circumstances, we will liaise with them carefully and oppose the LDP.”
Edano also said that the DPJ leadership’s position regarding opposition realignment had not changed, stating, “We must not make realignment an end in itself. We would like to cooperate and liaise as widely as possible with anyone who shares our policy goals and political philosophy.”
|
.jpg)
