Kenta Izumi, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) of Japan, delivered a powerful speech at a party convention in Tokyo, advocating for a change in government in the upcoming Lower House election.
The CDP's action plan for fiscal 2024, adopted at the convention, sets the ambitious goal of surpassing the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and becoming the top party in the next election.
Izumi emphasized the importance of forming a mission-oriented Cabinet that would focus on policies supported by multiple parties. He acknowledged that the CDP might not win a single-party majority but believes it can still forge a coalition government with other like-minded parties.
This shift in the CDP's rhetoric follows a political funding scandal that has rocked the LDP. The scandal has led to calls for sweeping changes in the political landscape, and Izumi sees it as an opportunity for the CDP to gain traction.
Izumi initiated discussions on forming a mission-oriented Cabinet in late December, in response to the LDP's involvement in the funding scandal. During a Lower House session in January, he expressed a desire to establish a national salvation Cabinet that would work to eliminate illicit political funds and enact political reforms.
However, Izumi has faced challenges in uniting the opposition parties. Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) and the Democratic Party for the People (DPP) have expressed skepticism about the CDP's approach. Both parties have stressed the need for agreement on key policy issues, such as the Constitution and national security, before considering a coalition government.
Despite their differences, the CDP, Nippon Ishin, the DPP, and the Japanese Communist Party have agreed to work together to uncover the truth behind the funding scandal. They succeeded in forcing the LDP to submit a list of lawmakers who failed to report revenues from fundraising events.