A Four-Way Race for Leadership in Japan's Main Opposition Party
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), the main opposition party in Japan, is undergoing a leadership race with four candidates vying for the position. The race began on September 7th, 2023, and the winner will be announced on September 23rd, 2023, at an extraordinary party convention.
Kenta Izumi: The current party president, seeking re-election.
Former Prime Minister of Japan.
Former CDP President.
First-term Lower House member.
Each candidate brings a unique perspective and set of priorities to the race.
Noda emphasizes the need for political reform and criticizes the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for a recent political fund scandal.
Edano focuses on the importance of strict punishment for LDP lawmakers who received unreported political funds.
Izumi pledges to tap the strengths of Japanese industry and Japan as a whole.
Yoshida desires to realize "life-size politics" unbound by conventions.
The leadership race comes at a crucial time for the CDP, as the party seeks to revamp itself as a viable alternative to the ruling coalition before the next Lower House election. The outcome of the race will have a significant impact on the party's direction and its chances of success in the upcoming election.
One of the key issues in the leadership race is how to cooperate with other opposition parties in the Lower House election. Izumi favors a coalition government primarily with the Democratic Party for the People, while Noda supports a broader collaboration with other parties such as Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party).
The candidates will participate in public debates and make street speeches at 11 locations nationwide during the 17-day campaigning period. The winner will be chosen by a vote of CDP Diet members, party-endorsed candidates in national elections, local assembly members, and party members and affiliated members. If none of the four candidates wins a majority of votes, a run-off vote will be held between the two top finishers.