Newly elected leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), Yoshihiko Noda, aims to project a sense of stability through his experience in government, countering the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as early House of Representatives dissolution and general elections are anticipated. He advocates for a realistic approach in diplomacy and security, as well as energy policy, while calling for the restoration of trust lost during the previous Democratic Party administration. However, the differences with the LDP might become less apparent. As the party aims for a political transition, the challenge remains whether it can broaden its appeal to a wide range of anti-LDP factions, including moderate conservatives. (Kei Ganaha)
Yoshihiko Noda, new leader of the Democratic Party, smiles after the party leadership election, along with Akira Nagatsuma, Kenta Izumi, and Harumi Yoshida, at a hotel in Tokyo on the 23rd (photo by Eiji Sudo)
◆ “End money politics and limit hereditary politics”
Noda emphasized on the 23rd during an extraordinary party convention in Tokyo, stating, “Above all, the most important thing is the public’s trust in politics. We must end money politics and limit hereditary politics.” He highlighted the differences from the LDP, which has been criticized for its hereditary nature and the political fund party slush fund scandal that has led to public distrust.
In terms of economic policy, he noted that since the second Abe administration, while large corporations and the wealthy have prospered, many households suffer from rising prices, claiming, “We must correct disparities and revive a robust middle class.” He expressed intentions to realize benefit-linked tax credits that significantly help low-income individuals and the free education initiatives advocated by fellow representative Harumi Yoshida during the leadership election.
◆ “Downplaying the abolition of unconstitutional aspects of the security laws”
While showcasing unique perspectives on the issues of money in politics and economic policy, Noda’s reflections on the past failures of the former Democratic administration, which attempted a substantial policy shift, have led him to prioritize continuity in foreign policy and security matters from the LDP regime, such as the Japan-U.S. alliance. He has toned down the party’s basic policy of “abolishing the unconstitutional parts of the security legislation.” The previously stated “zero nuclear power” stance has been “sealed,” shifting to a more realistic expression of aiming for a society that does not depend on nuclear power.
The liberal character that has characterized the CDP is expected to diminish, aiming to broaden support among moderate conservatives; however, candidate nominations thus far have not been going smoothly. Out of 289 electoral districts, they have managed to field candidates in only about 190. Forcing the LDP and Komeito below the majority threshold will require urgent coordination of candidate differentiation and collaborations with other parties.
In the previous 2021 House of Representatives election, the CDP exchanged agreements with the Communist Party on candidate adjustments and “limited cooperation outside the cabinet,” facing criticisms from the LDP as the “Constitutional Communist Party,” which hampered their ability to gain votes as expected. This time, Noda aims to shift security policy towards a realistic approach and is reconsidering electoral cooperation, stating, “We cannot share a government with the Communist Party.”
◆ The Communist Party is cautious about the review of cooperation
Communist Party Secretary-General Akira Koike remarked to reporters on the 23rd, “The abolition of the security laws is the ‘first priority’ for opposition cooperation. The inability to abolish them immediately is significant.” During the leadership election, they continuously fielded candidates in areas like Aichi and Chiba, where they supported the CDP previously, creating early concerns about the division of anti-LDP votes.
To consolidate the anti-LDP forces, the cooperation not only with the Democratic Party for the People, which Noda is eager to collaborate with, but also with other opposition parties such as the Japan Innovation Party remains on the agenda. A mid-level member of the CDP stressed, “First, we need to establish a unified party structure before seeking paths for opposition cooperation. If we end up fielding candidates against the Communist Party and are unable to work with the Japan Innovation Party in the next House of Representatives election, it will lead to disastrous results.”
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◆ Heading into debates for the October extraordinary national assembly… Thorough pursuit of the slush fund issue is a priority
Newly elected leader of the CDP, Yoshihiko Noda, considers thoroughly pursuing the LDP faction’s political fund party slush fund scandal as a crucial issue in the upcoming October extraordinary national assembly. While all nine candidates in the LDP presidential election advocate for political reform, they have shown reluctance to clarify the actual situation. Noda asserted, “Without trust in politics, policies cannot be promoted,” and is poised to urge the new prime minister, who will succeed Fumio Kishida, to revise the Political Funds Control Law and compel slush fund politicians to attend ethics hearings.
Noda asserted during his declaration at the extraordinary party convention, “A political change is the greatest political reform.” Throughout the leadership election, he called for the LDP to conduct a re-investigation into the slush fund scandal, as well as fundamental reforms such as banning corporate and organizational donations, abolishing policy activity funds, and publicly disclosing the use of research and public relations expenses (formerly known as communication expenses). In the extraordinary national assembly, he plans to demand not only representative questions from all parties during the plenary session but also the convening of a budget committee in both houses to debate in a question-and-answer format.
◆ The Japan Innovation Party: “We can advance reforms together with Noda”
Political reform is a theme where the opposition can unite, and Noda participated as a lecturer in a study session held by the Japan Innovation Party in August. Despite some concerns within the party over a closer relationship with the Innovation Party under Noda’s new leadership, Innovation Party officials express hope for a collaborative effort, stating, “With Noda, we can advance reforms together.”
Yoshihiko Noda, former prime minister, delivers a speech before the deciding vote in the CDP leadership election on the 23rd at a hotel in Tokyo (photo by Koji Hirano)
Additionally, regarding the close relationship between the Unification Church (previously known as the Unification Church) and the LDP, Noda intends to confront the new administration, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter. It was recently reported that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with church officials at the LDP headquarters before the 2013 Upper House election, but reactions from LDP presidential candidates have been generally muted. Noda stated, “We cannot help but see that there has been an organized relationship,” insisting on the need for a stringent re-investigation.