CRA Publishes Policy Platform

The Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA), which consists of lawmakers from Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) and Komeito, published their policy platform for coming election brought by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decision to dissolve the House. The platform includes approval of 2015 security legislations under former Shinzo Abe administration and resumption of nuclear power plant in Japan. For the lawmakers with CDPJ, it marked a significant change of basic policies and demanded compromise to promote integration of opposition powers.

The platform is titled “Redesigning shape of society for better future, putting their slogan of “consumers first.” “We put constitutionalism on basis of our politics. We prevent abuse of political power and enhance stability and vitality of society, including local community, with respect for various values and ways of life through concept of coexistence and mutual support,” says the platform. It focuses on dialogue and inclusiveness as their standpoint as centrists.

 

The party presented five pillars of their policies. They firstly stress policy change for sustainable economic growth for happiness of every walk of life. It included lowering prices of commodity necessary for all the people with adjustment of excessively low value of Japanese yen, as reinforcing infrastructure to prevent damages in natural disaster.

 

To achieve sustainable economic growth, the platform proposes resumption of nuclear power plant with confirmed safety, viable evacuation plan and consent of local residents, still targeting a society independent on nuclear power in the future. Although the CDPJ has been advocating a society without nuclear power plant with lessons from severe accident in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, this biggest opposition party made concession to Komeito which had been promoting resumption of nuclear reactors as a part of the leading coalition.

 

The second pillar is construction of new model in social security for working agers. Considering concerns on heavy burden of social insurance, the party demands permanent exemption of consumption tax on foods by establishing new governmental fund and using existing funds as financial resources for consumption tax cut. It is based on introduction of refundable tax credit system, which the CDPJ has been advocating for years.

 

Thirdly, the CRA hopes to build an inclusive society to broaden choices and possibilities for the people. This is a set of liberal policies which both the CDPJ and Komeito could easily share. The issues include exemption of tuition in high schools, selective separate surname, promotion of measures against climate change or biological diversity and support for agriculture to secure food safety.

 

As the fourth pillar, the platform expects realistic diplomacy and security policy with deepening discussion on constitutional amendment. It is a basic stance for former Komeito members to have active security policies having been taken by the government led by the Liberal Democratic Party. The CDPJ reluctantly follows it. “It is constitutional to exercise self-defense right for defending our country in the case of survival threatening situation which is stipulated in the legislation for peace and security,” says the platform.

 

As their fundamental policies that distinguish themselves from the LDP, the platform lastly raises continuous reform of political funds and election system. It includes regulation of political donation from companies and organizations, which the LDP firmly opposes.

 

Those policies will consist of campaign platform for a snap election called by Takaichi. Although they include some differences from basic policies of the CDPJ, most lawmakers will approve them for agenda of their new party. 144 Lower House members with the CDPJ out of all 148 joined the CRA as of January 20th.

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