Debate for Presidential Election

Nine presidential candidates of the Liberal Democratic Party attended joint press conference taken place at Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on September 14. Held in every presidential election, the conference can be paralleled with presidential debate in the United States. More Questions went to former Minister of Environment Shinjiro Koizumi and former LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba, making the race a competition between young generation and experienced lawmakers.

One of the most controversial discussions was about when new prime minister would have a snap election. Koizumi unequivocally told that he would dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap election as soon as he would be elected Prime Minister. He may have thought that early election will work better for new prime minister than late election after the enthusiasm for new administration disappears.

 

Ishiba did not discuss that argument with political maneuvering, but with basic principle. “It is solemn responsibility for new administration to give the voters some criteria for making decision whom they will vote,” said Ishiba. Concerning that snap election produce a certain period in which no Lower House member exist, Ishiba also stressed a necessity to consider international situation Japan would have to deal with.

 

Koizumi was also isolated in the issue of reforming labor market. While he formerly announced that he would revise regulation against firing employees, which would encourage liquidity of labor market, Koizumi change the course from “easing” the regulation to “revising” it. Most of other candidates are careful on whether the policy would encourage dismissal of workers or not.

 

Koizumi showed his unique idea on diplomacy. Asked about how to deal with G7 diplomacy, Koizumi was confident to make a good relationship with the chairman of next year, Canadian Prime Minister Justine Trudeau, because Trudeau had taken office in 2015 when he was age of forty-three. If he is elected prime minister, Koizumi will be at the same age as Trudeau in 2015.

 

Koizumi also disclosed his willingness that he would seek new opportunity for dialogue between Japan and North Korea. Koizumi insisted that he could make it, simply because fathers of he and Kim Jong-un have met each other in the past. Koizumi basically hopes to construct diplomacy through relationship between top leaders, including approach to China.

 

Ishiba showed his maturity in his policies on security, diplomacy or economy. However, Ishiba does not receive overwhelming support from lawmakers. Asked why he was not popular among LDP lawmakers, Ishiba only said that he would do his best to achieve confidence in the party.

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