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On January 30, the DPJ held its annual party convention for 2016 at a Tokyo venue. Following a guest speaker’s address, President Katsuya Okada took to the podium, and called on party members to fight to achieve victory in the upcoming House of Councillors election, stating, “For the sake of Japan, we must call a halt to the reckless behavior of the Abe administration, and once more develop into a party that is capable of taking power in the near future. Let’s work together to make this election a major stepping stone toward achieving these aims.”
First, Okada raised the subject of “What should the DPJ be aiming to achieve?” He stated that the party should be working toward a vision of “a free society where a variety of values and lifestyles are respected”, “a society of mutual coexistence in which people help each other and no one is excluded”, and “a society that fulfils its responsibilities to future generations”. Okada said that “freedom”, “coexistence” and “the future” would be key concepts.
In particular, Okada emphasized the importance of breaking down barriers of inequality in areas such as education, employment and gender, as was recommended in the mid-term report issued by the DPJ Headquarters for Constructing a Society Based on Mutual Coexistence. He stressed: “The DPJ is aiming for a Japan which values each individual citizen”, setting forth a position radically different from that of the Abe administration.
Regarding opposition consolidation, Okada said that in the last of the four points formally agreed with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) at the end of last year, “we confirmed that we would keep the consolidation of the DPJ and the JIP in mind”. He emphasized that “I will work with JIP leader Yorishisa Matsuno to consolidate the debate on a variety of issues. There are many various difficulties, but I would like us to engage in full and frank discussions to see if we can overcome them…Depending on what is decided, we may need to initiate internal procedures, but at present I would like you to leave it my hands, as party leader.”
Okada went on to comment on this summer’s House of Councillors election, saying, “It is a crucial election for Japan. In two senses our nation stands at a crossroads.” The first of these is that “the pacifism, constitutionalism and democracy of the Constitution is currently at risk. We must be prepared for the LDP administration to have no qualms in undertaking constitutional revisions that limit pacifism and individual human rights, provided that parties in favor of constitutional revision manage obtain the two thirds’ majority in the House of Councillors that they need to carry out such revision.” After expressing these concerns he said that the DPJ must ensure that such a situation cannot occur.
Okada said that the second question faced by Japan “was whether we will be able to realize politics in which changes of government are possible, or whether we will end up with politics in which one party is overwhelmingly dominant and changes of government are impossible.” He urged party members: “We must make this House of Councillors election a major stepping stone toward stopping the reckless behavior of the Abe administration and achieving a change of government. Let’s do our utmost to bring this about.”
Finally, Okada referred to the political beliefs and experiences that had led him to determinedly pursue the creation of a political system under which changes of government would be possible, vowing, “As I look at the state of politics in this country now, I am astonished to see what a dangerous situation we are in. That is why I became President of the DPJ and have been making preparations for the past year. We must put forth everything that we have created and strived for and ensure that we win the House of Councillors election. I will stand at the forefront and make every effort as party leader to achieve this.” He added, “Right is on our side. For the sake of Japan, we must make this House of Councillors election a crucial stepping stone toward putting a halt to the reckless behavior of the Abe administration and developing into a party capable of taking power again in the near future. Let’s work together to achieve this.”
Next, Secretary General Yukio Edano spoke to the convention, and gave the Secretary General’s report, which included proposals for the DPJ’s 2016 Activity Plan and the party’s 2015 budget audit and 2016 Budget.
Edano said “At last year’s party convention, we confirmed that we would create an “All-DPJ” leadership and make bold firm strides towards rebuilding the party. The party leadership have been of the opinion that the voice of the regions and the power of women is the energy source for the party’s rebirth, and we have engaged in running the party with this in mind. This year, we will place the viewpoint of young people, together with those of the regions and women, at the center of our party’s administration, and engage in policy-making and a variety of other activities.”
Following the Secretary General’s report, Acting President Akira Nagatsuma reported on proceedings in the DPJ Headquarters for Constructing a Society Based on Mutual Coexistence. Nagatsuma stated, “The society that the DPJ is aiming for is clearly set forth in the Platform of the DPJ, created when Banri Kaieda was President of the party. It states: “What we will achieve: the construction of a society built on mutual coexistence.” In order to clarify our route to this goal we established the Headquarters for Constructing a Society Based on Mutual Coexistence, and we have heard from intellectuals and made on-site inspections.” He said that the Headquarters’ final report was scheduled to be completed by the end March and asked attendees at the convention for their cooperation.
Following these various reports the convention proposals were approved by a round of applauses from convention delegates and other attendees.
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