●Nathan Shiga: September 27

The general elections a month ahead, a most unheard-of situation is unveiling in Japan’s state politics – a symptom that portrays how hard hit is the opposition camp, particularly DDP, by Abe’s timely but obviously behind-the-back decision to dissolve the House of Representatives.

All trivial behind the scene aside, the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) skipper Seiji Maehara made a rather abrupt statement today to the effect that “DDP candidates, if they so wish, might individually run under the banner of Koike’s new party, Party of Hope. Tokyo Governor Koike, concurrently leader of Party of Hope, flatly denied any possibility of “merging with DDP”.

Maehara’s proposition is an expression of his anxiety over his party’s rough time ahead in the upcoming elections. Liberals are up against such a move. Maehara proposes his intention at the party’s Joint Plenary Meeting of Both Houses of the Diet slated September 28. He undoubtedly has his own rough time ahead convincing his comrades.

Masaru Wakasa of Party of Hope told the press on the possibility of merging with DDP:

“The situation is too fluid to make any conclusive comment, but I can say at this stage that our party has no intention of cooperating with DDP so long as ‘it stands within the current framework’.

“In other words, any mode of cooperation in the upcoming general elections is contradictory to our position until and unless DDP changes its framework, ceases to be DDP and agrees with us in policy matters.”

Amid North Korea’s menace, Japan now faces a crucial political trial – whether or not to endorse Shinzo Abe and his cabinet.

—Sponsered Link—