CDPJ Renews Leadership

The leader of Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) renewed the executive members of the party on September 11. As seen in the pick of former Minister of Finance Jun Azumi for Secretary General, the head, Yoshihiko Noda, focused on stability in handling of politics by skilled politicians. Noda insisted that he would aim at taking government with his new party leadership. 

In the Upper House election in July, the CDPJ won 22 seats, just the same number of seats the party had before the election, despite leading Liberal Democratic Party lost significant number of their seats. Its total seat as the sum of other seats without election this year in the Upper House is 38. It was obvious that the voters who defied LDP went to other parties, such as Democratic Party for the People or Sanseito.

 

The CDPJ reviewed the election and concluded that it was effectively a defeat, even if it did not reduce the seats. “It resulted in decline of presence as the biggest opposition party, failing in achieving approval as an alternative (to current government),” said the review. The party decided to keep its core policies as a political moderate and deliver messages to the middle class, with requirement of fundamental party reform.

 

With some frustration with the leadership, however, Noda stayed as the head. To enhance management of politics, Noda chose Azumi for Secretary General. As Chairman of Committee of Budget in the House of Representatives in last session of the Diet, Azumi showed balanced handlings in the committee, which dealt with annual budget bill for FY 2025 or reform of political funds stemmed from LDP slush fund scandal.

 

A secretary general mainly oversees Diet affairs and election. Azumi has a rich experience in Diet affairs. To deal with negotiation over bills, a party leader needs to maintain good relationship with lawmakers of other parties. Azumi is expected to handle Diet proceedings based on his relationship he has cultivated. Regardless who will be next LDP president, or prime minister, it is crucial for the top opposition party to lead discussion over policies.

 

If the successor of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is elected from the LDP, it is possible that snap election in the House of Representatives will be called in an early timing. Noda has been targeting next Lower House election as the chance to achieve the government. As long as the CDPJ does not have majority in both Houses, it needs coalition partner for its own government. An experienced secretary general is also expected to work with other opposition leaders to stand against the leading coalition.

 

Noda appointed a young lawmaker, Satoshi Honjo, to the policy chief. Choice for other positions, including Deputy Leaders, Chair of Diet Affairs Committee or Public Affairs, were made with consideration of balance between groups in the party. The biggest agenda for Noda is how to appeal the renewal of the party, which is broadly recognized as an old power in politics.

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