Democratic Party (Japan, 2016) Explained

Democratic Party
Native Name:
Japanese: Minshintō
Lang1:Japanese
Name Lang1:Minshintō
Country:Japan
Leader:Kohei Otsuka
Merged:Democratic Party For the People
Headquarters:Nagatachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Newspaper:Minshin Press
Ideology:Liberalism (Japanese)
Colors: Blue[1] [2]
Red
Website:minshin.jp

The, abbreviated as DP, was a political party in Japan. It was the largest opposition political party in Japan from 2016 until its marginalization in the House of Representatives in 2017.[3] The party was founded on 27 March 2016 from the merger of the Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Innovation Party.[4] The majority of the party split on 28 September 2017, before the 2017 general election.[5] Many of its members contesting the election as candidates for the Party of Hope, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan or as party members without nomination.[6] [7] [8] [9] On 7 May 2018 the DP merged with the Party of Hope to form the Democratic Party For the People.[10] [11]

Etymology

The party's Japanese name Minshintō combines "min" from minshu ("democratic") and, not from ishin (innovation). A literal translation of the name in English would be "Democratic Progressive Party", identical to the Taiwanese centre-left party which also shared the same Chinese characters. However, the party officially stated its English name as the Democratic Party.[12]

History

Foundation

On 24 February 2016 the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) announced that they were to merge at a special convention on 27 March to form a new opposition party in order to better compete with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in an Upper House election that was scheduled for later the same year.[13] [14] [15] [16] On 4 March 2016, the DPJ and JIP asked the public for suggestions for a name for the merged party.[17] On 14 March 2016, the name of the new party was announced as Minshintō (Democratic Progressive Party), the most popular shortlisted name among polled voters and preferred by the JIP, beating Rikken Minshutō (Constitutional Democratic Party) that was preferred by the DPJ.[18] On 18 March 2016, the official English language title of the new party was announced as the Democratic Party.[19] On 22 March, the DPJ announced that 4 sitting Representatives from Vision of Reform would join the party at its launch.[20]

The new party was founded on 27 March 2016 with the leadership consisting of Katsuya Okada as party president, Yukio Edano as secretary-general and Shiori Yamao as policy chief.[21] The party platform committed to protecting the existing pacifist Japanese constitution, and stating opposition to the "Abenomics" policies of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.[22] [23] [24]

2016 House of Councillors election

See main article: 2016 Japanese House of Councillors election. The election on 10 July 2016 was the first major election contested by the new party. Following the merger, the party entered the election with 62 seats in the 242-seat House, with 45 of those 62 seats being contested. During the nomination period, the party signed an agreement with the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), Social Democratic Party and People's Life Party to field a jointly-endorsed candidate in each of the 32 districts in which only one seat is contested, uniting in an attempt to take control of the House from the ruling LDP–Komeito coalition.[25] Despite the agreement, Democratic Party leader Okada stated that forming a coalition government with the JCP would be "impossible" in the near future due to some of the "extreme leftist policies" promoted by the JCP.[26]

The party had a total of 55 official candidates contesting the election, the same number as the DPJ in the 2013 election and the third-most behind the LDP and Communist Party.[27] 33 candidates contested the single- and multi-member districts and 22 were in the party's list for the 48-seat national proportional representation block.[27] A further 15 independent candidates contesting single-seat districts were endorsed by the party. The party suffered a considerable defeat at the hands of the ruling coalition, losing 13 seats overall. Five of the 15 endorsed independents were also elected, including two that claimed seats formerly held by retiring Democratic Party members.[28] Following the loss, Okada announced he would not seek re-election as leader at the party's annual meeting in September.[29]

2017 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election and Renhō's resignation

The 2017 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election caused the party to lose 13 seats in the Assembly, which left them with only 5 seats.[30] This prompted both the secretary-general, Yoshihiko Noda, on 25 July 2017,[31] and the president of the party, Renhō, on 27 July 2017, to resign.[32] This is regarded as showing how public trust for the DP has declined.[30]

2017 leadership election

The election for a new leader to replace Renhō took place on 1 September, and campaigning began on 21 August. The two candidates were Seiji Maehara, who announced his intention to run on 2 August,[33] and Yukio Edano, who declared his candidacy on 1 August.[34] The election was won by Maehara.[35] [36]

2017 House of Representatives election and aftermath

On 28 September 2017, Maehara announced that the party had abandoned plans to contest the 2017 general election scheduled for 22 October.[37] [38] The DP caucus in the House of Representatives disbanded, with the party's existing representatives set to contest the election as candidates for the Party of Hope recently formed by Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike or as independents.[39] On 2 October 2017, DP deputy president Yukio Edano announced the formation of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) for liberals and left-leaning members of the DP whom Koike had rejected for running as Party of Hope candidates.[40] [41] On 23 October 2017, in the aftermath of the election, Maehara announced his resignation as party president, with the CDP having replaced the DP as the largest opposition party in the lower house, while the DP continues to exist in the House of Councillors.[42] [43] On 31 October 2017, member of the House of Councillors Kohei Otsuka was chosen as the leader of the Democratic Party to succeed Maehara.[44]

Road to a new party

In January 2018, the DP and the Party of Hope agreed to form a joint parliamentary group in both houses of the Diet, with each party remaining organisationally separate, but being subject to a common whip.[45] However, several days later, the negotiations broke down.[46] On 9 April 2018, it was announced that exploratory talks to merge the DP and Party of Hope into a new opposition party were being held.[47]

On 24 April 2018, the leadership of the DP and the Party of Hope announced in a joint press conference that both parties had agreed to merge in May 2018 under the name National Democratic Party. Several factions in both parties did not plan to join the new party. The members of these factions are expected to form their own splinter parties or remain as independents.[48] The DP and Party of Hope merged to form the Democratic Party For the People on 7 May 2018.[49] [50]

Policies

Democratic Party are generally classified as centre[51] to centre-left.[52] However, unlike the "social-liberal" Democratic Party in 1998, it is generally regarded as a simple "liberal" party because it was founded by absorbing centre-right conservative parties.[53]

The policies of the DP differed little from the policies of its predecessor, the DPJ, with policies such as increasing diversity, contributing to world peace, preserving democracy, and promoting prosperity.[21] They are considered to be open-minded in terms of North Korea, with one member of the party saying that doing nothing would not be responsible.[54] [55] The DP, like its Democratic Party predecessor, is opposed to nuclear power.[56] The DP wants to raise the minimum wage of Japan.[21]

Presidents of the Democratic Party

No.Name
(Birth–death)		ImageConstituency / titleTerm of officeElection results
Took officeLeft office
Preceding parties: Democratic Party (1998) & Innovation Party
1Katsuya Okada
(b. 1953)		Rep for Mie 3rd27 March 201615 September 2016Abe S.
2Renhō
(b. 1967)		Cou for Tokyo15 September 20161 September 2017see 2016 election
3Seiji Maehara
(b. 1962)		Rep for Kyoto 2nd1 September 201730 October 2017[57] see Sep 2017 election
4Kohei Otsuka
(b. 1959)		Cou for Aichi31 October 2017[58] 7 May 2018see Oct 2017 election
Successor parties: Constitutional Democratic Party (2017), Kibō no Tō, & Democratic Party For the People (2018)

Factions

The Democratic Party, like its predecessor Democratic Party of Japan, was composed of factions originating in the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan Socialist Party and the Democratic Socialist Party, augmented by the merger with the Japan Innovation Party. Significant factions existing within the party included:

Election results

General election results

In the 2017 general election of members of the House of Representatives, the Democratic Party did not nominate any candidates. Several of its remaining members were elected without party nomination. Most of these joined the formation of the "Group of Independents" (Mushozoku no kai) House of Representatives caucus led by Katsuya Okada in October 2017.[59] Some others such as Seiji Maehara have left the party after the election.[60]

According to the party, its membership includes 14 members of the House of Representatives as of November, 2017:[61]

Councillors election results

Notes and References

  1. News: 21 October 2017 . ja:日本に定着するか、政党のカラー . Will the colors of political parties settle in Japan? . https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO22461210Z11C17A0000000 . ja . . 28 May 2020 .
  2. News: May 19, 2020 . ja:民進党のロゴマーク決定 青と赤で「Ｍ」表現 . The logo of the Democratic Party has been decided. It expresses the "M" by blue and red. . https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ5M3F30J5MUTFK004.html . The Asashi Shimbun Digital . ja . . November 13, 2020 . November 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112025606/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ5M3F30J5MUTFK004.html . dead .
  3. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20160318-OYT1T50204.html 民進英語名、略称ＤＰに
  4. Web site: New opposition party launched with merger of DPJ, smaller party- Nikkei Asian Review . 2016-03-28 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160328145026/http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/New-opposition-party-launched-with-merger-of-DPJ-smaller-party . 2016-03-28 .
  5. Kubo . Hiroki . Matsumoto . Tomoko . Yamamoto . Kentaro . 2022 . Party switching and policy disagreement: scaling analysis of experts' judgment . Japanese Journal of Political Science . en . 23 . 3 . 254–269 . 10.1017/S1468109922000160 . 1468-1099. free .
  6. Asano . Masahiko . Patterson . Dennis . 2022 . Risk, institutions, and policy in decisions to join a start-up party: evidence from the 2017 snap election in Japan . Japanese Journal of Political Science . en . 23 . 1 . 34–54 . 10.1017/S1468109921000402 . 1468-1099. 2346/92774 . free .
  7. Web site: Japanese opposition split turns election into 3-way fight.
  8. Web site: Edano's new opposition party gathers momentum on Twitter.
  9. News: Koike's party unveils 1st list of 192 candidates for upcoming election . Japan Today . 4 October 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171005000318/https://japantoday.com/category/politics/update1-koike's-party-unveils-1st-list-of-candidates-for-upcoming-election . 2022-07-30 . 2017-10-05 . dead.
  10. Web site: New opposition party lacking in numbers after 2 parties merge：The Asahi Shimbun . www.asahi.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180507112107/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201805070046.html . 2018-05-07.
  11. Web site: 2 parties merge again vowing to scrap key part of Japan's controversial security legislation - Xinhua | English.news.cn. https://web.archive.org/web/20180507111404/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/07/c_137161774.htm. dead. May 7, 2018.
  12. Web site: Summary of the Democratic Party.
  13. Web site: New main opposition party to be named 'Minshinto' . 14 March 2016. The Mainichi. The Mainichi Newspapers. Japan. https://web.archive.org/web/20160314222516/http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160314/p2g/00m/0dm/083000c. 2016-03-14. dead. 17 March 2016.
  14. Web site: DPJ endorses merger with Ishin no To; new party to form next month. Tomohiro . Osaki. Yoshida . Reiji. 24 February 2016. The Japan Times. The Japan Times Ltd.. Japan. 17 March 2016.
  15. Web site: DPJ, Japan Innovation Party to merge ahead of Upper House election . 24 February 2016 . Asia & Japan Watch . The Asahi Shimbun Company . Japan . https://web.archive.org/web/20160315082356/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201602240068 . 15 March 2016 . 17 March 2016 . dead.
  16. Web site: DPJ, Ishin to merge March 27 at special convention. 29 February 2016. The Japan Times. The Japan Times Ltd.. Japan. 17 March 2016.
  17. Web site: DPJ, Ishin no To invite entries for new party name . 4 March 2016. The Japan Times. The Japan Times Ltd.. Japan. 17 March 2016.
  18. Web site: Introducing Minshin To, Japan's new main opposition force. 14 March 2016. The Japan Times. The Japan Times Ltd.. Japan. 17 March 2016.
  19. Web site: Japan gets its own Democratic Party. Tomohiro. Osaki. 18 March 2016. Japan Times Online.
  20. Web site: The Democratic Party of Japan.
  21. Web site: Democratic Party launches with vow to halt ruling coalition. Tomohiro. Osaki. 27 March 2016. Japan Times Online.
  22. Web site: New largest opposition party formed between DPJ and JIP：The Asahi Shimbun. 2016-04-04. 2016-04-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20160416175107/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201603280036.html. dead.
  23. Web site: Largest opposition party formed in Japan, eyes upper house poll — Xinhua — English.news.cn. https://web.archive.org/web/20160413151726/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-03/27/c_135227248.htm. dead. April 13, 2016.
  24. Web site: Introducing Minshin To, Japan's new main opposition force. Reiji. Yoshida. 14 March 2016. Japan Times.
  25. News: Opposition parties, activists ink policy pact for Upper House election . Japan Times . 7 June 2016 . 23 June 2016.
  26. News: Abe to 'take responsibility' if ruling bloc fails to win 61 seats in Upper House election . Japan Times . Osaki . Tomohiro . 21 June 2016 . 23 June 2016.
  27. News: 第３極衰退で候補者減、タレント候補１０人に . Fewer candidates with the demise of the third pole - 10 celebrity candidates . ja . Yomiuri Shimbun . 23 June 2016 . 23 June 2016.
  28. Web site: 参院選2016(参議院選挙) . House of Councillors election 2016 . ja . 29 August 2016 . Yomiuri Shimbun.
  29. Web site: Democratic Party chief Okada won't seek re-election . 30 July 2016 . Japan Times . 29 August 2016.
  30. News: Tokyo vote prompts crisis of confidence for Renho's Democratic Party. The Japan Times. 5 July 2017. Yoshida. Reiji.
  31. News: DP's No. 2 Noda steps down to take responsibility for Tokyo election drubbing. 25 July 2017. The Japan Times. Osaki. Tomohiro.
  32. News: Main opposition chief Renho resigns Democratic Party leadership. 27 July 2017. The Japan Times. Yoshida. Reiji.
  33. News: 0447-5763. Maehara and Edano set sights on Democratic Party leadership. The Japan Times. 2 August 2017.
  34. News: 0447-5763. Edano officially throws hat into DP leadership race. The Japan Times. 29 July 2017.
  35. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/09/01/national/politics-diplomacy/maeharas-election-democratic-party-president-may-put-pressure-abe-coalition/ Struggling DP elects Maehara as next president
  36. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Ailing-Japan-opposition-picks-Maehara-as-new-leader Ailing Japan opposition picks Maehara as new leader
  37. News: Become an FT subscriber to read | Financial Times. Financial Times. 28 September 2017. Harding. Robin.
  38. Web site: Japan's Koike wins over more key politicians.
  39. Web site: Democratic Party effectively disbands, throwing support behind Koike's party for Lower House poll. 28 September 2017.
  40. Web site: Former DP heavyweight Yukio Edano seeks to fill void with new liberal-minded party. 2 October 2017.
  41. Web site: Japan's largest opposition party splits.
  42. Web site: CDP looking for allies; Koike won't step down; Maehara to quit：The Asahi Shimbun . www.asahi.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171024163327/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201710240049.html . 2017-10-24.
  43. Web site: Shattered Democratic Party to remain, pick new leader：The Asahi Shimbun . www.asahi.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171026122009/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201710260038.html . 2017-10-26.
  44. Web site: Democratic Party selects Otsuka as new party president：The Asahi Shimbun . 2017-11-01 . 2018-07-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180708095208/http://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/AJ201710310050.html . dead .
  45. Web site: Japanese opposition parties DP and Kibo no to agree to join forces. 15 January 2018.
  46. Web site: Alliance negotiations between two Japanese opposition parties break down. 17 January 2018.
  47. News: Japan's Democratic Party and Kibo no To launch merger talks . The Japan Times . 10 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180422065349/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/04/10/national/politics-diplomacy/japans-democratic-party-kibo-no-launch-merger-talks/ . 2022-07-30. 2018-04-22 .
  48. News: DP, Kibo to merge into new party as early as May 7. Yomiuri Shimbun. Jiji Press. 25 April 2018. 26 April 2018. 26 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180426144513/http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004395382. dead.
  49. Web site: Rock bottom in opinion polls, Japanese opposition parties Kibo no to and Democratic Party decide to merge. 7 May 2018.
  50. Web site: The Japan News. 2018-05-07. 2018-05-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20180507222157/http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004422077. dead.
  51. Web site: With a landslide win, Shinzo Abe could be ready to rewrite Japan's pacifist constitution. Blair. Gavin. Los Angeles Times. 22 October 2017. 11 December 2017.
  52. News: Japan's Democratic Party chooses a new leader. 15 September 2016. Public Radio International.
  53. Web site: https://www.minshin.jp/about-dp/principles . 27 March 2016 . minshin.jp . ja . ja:民進党綱領 . The Democratic Party's platform . 22 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160711011309/https://www.minshin.or.jp/about-dp/principles . 11 July 2016 .
  54. Web site: Japan's desire for ability to preemptively strike North Korea grows.
  55. Web site: Japan Mulls First-Strike Capability Against North Korea. 9 March 2017.
  56. Make Japan Democratic Again. Harris. Tobias. Foreign Policy. 22 April 2016.
  57. [The Japan Times]
  58. [Mainichi Shimbun]
  59. [Sankei Shimbun|Sankei News]
  60. [Nihon Keizai Shimbun|nikkei.com]
  61. Democratic Party: Members of the National Diet, House of Representatives
  62. [Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications]
  63. [Yomiuri Shimbun]
  64. [Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications]

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