|
On February 29, a meeting of DPJ secretaries general from around the nation took place at party headquarters. President Katsuya Okada and other members of the party leadership explained about the merger with the Japan Innovation Party and discussions took place.
Okada explained the reasons behind the decision to merge with the JIP as follows, “I am full of gratitude towards the party members and Diet members who have continued to support the DPJ through difficult times. However, in order to stop the out-of-control behavior of the Abe administration and realize a change of government, I believed that the DPJ must revamp itself and so I have engaged in discussions with the JIP. We are in an extremely dangerous situation, with the Abe administration ignoring the Constitution and talking publicly of constitutional revision. Meanwhile, Abenomics has not succeeded in protecting the livelihoods of our nation. This is the situation under which the House of Councillors election will take place. This is the moment where we must stand firm. I want to create a significant convergence [of the opposition parties] in order to stop the out-of-control Abe administration.”
The representatives of local party organizations asked questions and voiced opinions and requests regarding the philosophy and name of the new party, and the date at which the local organizations of the two parties were expected to join forces. Following this, Okada summed up the situation, saying, “It is not long until the House of Councillors elections, but we still have time. The party will unite firmly to appeal to the Japanese people, overthrow the LDP administration, and aim once more for a change of government.”
|
