Democratic Party (Japan, 2016)
{{Short description|Japanese political party}}
{{Distinguish|text=Democratic Progressive Party, which has the same Chinese writing in its abbreviated name}}
{{Other uses|Democratic Party (Japan)}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = Democratic Party
| native_name = {{nobold|{{Nihongo2|民進党}}}}
{{lang|ja-Latn|Minshintō}}
| lang1 = Japanese
| abbreviation = DP
| country = Japan
| colorcode = {{party color|Democratic Party (Japan, 2016)}}
| logo = Democratic Party (Japan) logo.svg
| leader = Kohei Otsuka
| chairman =
| president =
| secretary_general =
| foundation = {{start date and age|2016|03|27|df=y}}
| dissolution = {{start date and age|2018|05|07|df=y}}
| merger = {{ublist|class = nowrap
}}
| merged = Democratic Party For the People{{cref|a}}
| headquarters = Nagatachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
| newspaper = Minshin Press
| student_wing =
| youth_wing =
| membership_year =
| membership =
| ideology = Liberalism (Japanese){{cref|b}}
| position = {{Nowrap|Centre to centre-left{{cref|b}}}}
| national =
| international =
| colors = {{colour box|{{party color|Democratic Party (Japan, 2016)}}}} Blue{{cite news |date=21 October 2017 |script-title=ja:日本に定着するか、政党のカラー |trans-title=Will the colors of political parties settle in Japan? |url=https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO22461210Z11C17A0000000 |language=ja |publisher=Nikkei, Inc. |access-date=28 May 2020 }}{{cite news |date=May 19, 2020 |script-title=ja:民進党のロゴマーク決定 青と赤で「M」表現 |trans-title=The logo of the Democratic Party has been decided. It expresses the "M" by blue and red. |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ5M3F30J5MUTFK004.html |work=The Asashi Shimbun Digital |language=ja |publisher=The Asahi Shimbun Company |access-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112025606/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ5M3F30J5MUTFK004.html |url-status=dead }}
{{color box|#E50012}} Red
| website = [https://www.minshin.jp minshin.jp]
| footnotes = {{cnote|a|The candidates of this party ran as independents in 2017 Lower house election and sat within Group of Independents{{cite web |last=Yano |first=Takeshi |url=https://kotobank.jp/word/%E6%B0%91%E9%80%B2%E5%85%9A-872951#E6.97.A5.E6.9C.AC.E5.A4.A7.E7.99.BE.E7.A7.91.E5.85.A8.E6.9B.B8.28.E3.83.8B.E3.83.83.E3.83.9D.E3.83.8B.E3.82.AB.29 |script-title=ja:日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)の解説 |access-date=22 March 2021 |trans-title=The Nihon Dai Hyakka Zensho: Nipponica{{'}}s explanation |website=kotobank.jp |publisher=The Asahi Shimbun Company |language=ja }} and merged with Kibō no Tō to form DPFP, a party born from splits in the Liberal Democratic Party and Democratic Party.}}{{cnote|b|But there were also some conservative{{cite web |url= https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/stage-set-for-abe-koike-showdown |title= Japan election: Stage set for Abe-Koike showdown |quote= A marriage of convenience could splinter the DP, which despite its left-leaning platform comprises a hodgepodge of liberals and conservatives. Some DP members have said it might be better to disband the party, whose toxic reputation stems from its disunity and botched rule from 2009 to 2012.|date= 28 September 2017 |website= The Straits Times |access-date= 9 June 2020}}{{cite web |url= https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/04/30/japans-democratic-party-doomed-to-opposition/ |title= Japan's Democratic Party doomed to opposition |quote= The DP cannot make up its mind whether it is a second conservative party that offers moderate alternatives to LDP policies or a 'progressive' party that stands on the other side of an ideological divide. |date= 30 April 2017 |website= East Asia Forum |access-date= 9 June 2020}}{{cite web |url= https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/27/national/politics-diplomacy/main-opposition-chief-renho-resigns-dp-leadership/ |title= Main opposition chief Renho resigns Democratic Party leadership |quote= The upcoming presidential race, however, could further deepen division among conservative and liberal lawmakers in the party.|date= 27 July 2017 |website= The Japan Times |access-date= 9 June 2020}} centre-right factions{{bulleted list
|{{cite web |url= https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/10/24/roadblocks-to-establishing-a-two-party-political-system-in-japan/ |title= Roadblocks to establishing a two-party political system in Japan |quote= The establishment of Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike's Party of Hope — which scalped candidates from the centre-right factions of the DP — failed to challenge the LDP. |date= 24 October 2017 |website= East Asia Forum |access-date= 15 June 2020}}
|{{cite web |url= https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/10/10/where-is-japans-party-system-headed/ |title= Where is Japan's party system headed? |quote= ... the disparate origins of these parties generated a persistent polarisation between the DPJ's conservative centre-right and progressive centre-left factions. Now these forces appear to have found their natural ideological homes.|date= 24 October 2017 |website= East Asia Forum |access-date= 15 June 2020}}}} within the party.}}
}}
The {{Nihongo|Democratic Party|民進党|Minshintō|extra=DP}} was a political party in Japan. It was the largest opposition political party in Japan from 2016 until its marginalization in the House of Representatives in 2017.[http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20160318-OYT1T50204.html 民進英語名、略称DPに] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325183636/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20160318-OYT1T50204.html |date=2016-03-25 }} Yomiuri Shimbun The party was founded on 27 March 2016 from the merger of the Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Innovation Party.{{cite web|url=http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/New-opposition-party-launched-with-merger-of-DPJ-smaller-party |title=New opposition party launched with merger of DPJ, smaller party- Nikkei Asian Review |access-date=2016-03-28 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328145026/http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/New-opposition-party-launched-with-merger-of-DPJ-smaller-party |archive-date=2016-03-28 }} The majority of the party split on 28 September 2017, before the 2017 general election.{{Cite journal |last=Kubo |first=Hiroki |last2=Matsumoto |first2=Tomoko |last3=Yamamoto |first3=Kentaro |date=2022 |title=Party switching and policy disagreement: scaling analysis of experts' judgment |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/japanese-journal-of-political-science/article/party-switching-and-policy-disagreement-scaling-analysis-of-experts-judgment/F9FE73C97607958FBA1C5525849C20C9 |journal=Japanese Journal of Political Science |language=en |volume=23 |issue=3 |pages=254–269 |doi=10.1017/S1468109922000160 |issn=1468-1099|doi-access=free }} Many of its members contesting the election as candidates for the Party of Hope, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan or as party members without nomination.{{Cite journal |last=Asano |first=Masahiko |last2=Patterson |first2=Dennis |date=2022 |title=Risk, institutions, and policy in decisions to join a start-up party: evidence from the 2017 snap election in Japan |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/japanese-journal-of-political-science/article/risk-institutions-and-policy-in-decisions-to-join-a-startup-party-evidence-from-the-2017-snap-election-in-japan/C9A4A626E67BFBF4FC8F9A3004A01BCA |journal=Japanese Journal of Political Science |language=en |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=34–54 |doi=10.1017/S1468109921000402 |issn=1468-1099|hdl=2346/92774 |hdl-access=free }}{{cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Japanese-opposition-split-turns-election-into-3-way-fight|title=Japanese opposition split turns election into 3-way fight}}{{cite web|url=https://japantoday.com/category/politics/new-opposition-party-gathers-unlikely-momentum-on-twitter|title = Edano's new opposition party gathers momentum on Twitter}}{{cite news |url=https://japantoday.com/category/politics/update1-koike's-party-unveils-1st-list-of-candidates-for-upcoming-election |title=Koike's party unveils 1st list of 192 candidates for upcoming election |publisher=Japan Today |date=4 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005000318/https://japantoday.com/category/politics/update1-koike's-party-unveils-1st-list-of-candidates-for-upcoming-election |access-date=2022-07-30 |archive-date=2017-10-05 |url-status=dead}} On 7 May 2018 the DP merged with the Party of Hope to form the Democratic Party For the People.{{cite web |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201805070046.html |title=New opposition party lacking in numbers after 2 parties merge:The Asahi Shimbun |website=www.asahi.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507112107/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201805070046.html |archive-date=2018-05-07}}{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/07/c_137161774.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507111404/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/07/c_137161774.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2018|title = 2 parties merge again vowing to scrap key part of Japan's controversial security legislation - Xinhua {{pipe}} English.news.cn}}
Etymology
The party's Japanese name Minshintō combines "min" from minshu ("democratic") and {{Nihongo||進|shin|"advance, progress"}}, not {{Nihongo||新|shin|"new"}} from ishin (innovation). A literal translation of the name in English would be "Democratic Progressive Party", identical to the Taiwanese centre-left party which also shared the same Chinese characters. However, the party officially stated its English name as the Democratic Party.{{cite web|url=https://www.minshin.or.jp/english/about/dp|title=Summary of the Democratic Party}}
History
File:Miyakezaka Building (2018-05-04) 01.jpg
{{Update section|date=September 2017}}
=Foundation=
On 24 February 2016 the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) announced that they were to merge at a special convention on 27 March to form a new opposition party in order to better compete with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in an Upper House election that was scheduled for later the same year.{{cite web |url= http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160314/p2g/00m/0dm/083000c |title= New main opposition party to be named 'Minshinto' |date= 14 March 2016|work= The Mainichi|publisher= The Mainichi Newspapers|location= Japan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314222516/http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160314/p2g/00m/0dm/083000c|archive-date=2016-03-14|url-status= dead|access-date= 17 March 2016}}{{cite web |url= http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/02/24/national/politics-diplomacy/dpj-endorses-merger-ishin-no-new-party-form-next-month|title= DPJ endorses merger with Ishin no To; new party to form next month|first1= Tomohiro |last1= Osaki|last2 = Yoshida |first2= Reiji|date= 24 February 2016|work= The Japan Times|publisher= The Japan Times Ltd.|location= Japan|access-date= 17 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201602240068 |title=DPJ, Japan Innovation Party to merge ahead of Upper House election |date=24 February 2016 |work=Asia & Japan Watch |publisher=The Asahi Shimbun Company |location=Japan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315082356/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201602240068 |archive-date=15 March 2016 |access-date=17 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url= http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/02/29/national/politics-diplomacy/dpj-ishin-merge-march-27-special-convention/ |title= DPJ, Ishin to merge March 27 at special convention|date= 29 February 2016|work= The Japan Times|publisher= The Japan Times Ltd.|location= Japan|access-date= 17 March 2016}} On 4 March 2016, the DPJ and JIP asked the public for suggestions for a name for the merged party.{{cite web |url= http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/04/national/politics-diplomacy/dpj-ishin-no-invite-entries-new-party-name/ |title= DPJ, Ishin no To invite entries for new party name |date= 4 March 2016|work= The Japan Times|publisher= The Japan Times Ltd.|location= Japan|access-date= 17 March 2016}} On 14 March 2016, the name of the new party was announced as Minshintō (Democratic Progressive Party), the most popular shortlisted name among polled voters and preferred by the JIP, beating Rikken Minshutō (Constitutional Democratic Party) that was preferred by the DPJ.{{cite web |url= http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/14/national/politics-diplomacy/introducing-minshin-to-japans-new-main-opposition-force/ |title= Introducing Minshin To, Japan's new main opposition force|date= 14 March 2016|work= The Japan Times|publisher= The Japan Times Ltd.|location= Japan|access-date= 17 March 2016}} On 18 March 2016, the official English language title of the new party was announced as the Democratic Party.{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/18/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-gets-democratic-party/|title=Japan gets its own Democratic Party|first=Tomohiro|last=Osaki|date=18 March 2016|via=Japan Times Online}} On 22 March, the DPJ announced that 4 sitting Representatives from Vision of Reform would join the party at its launch.{{cite web|url=https://www.dpj.or.jp/english/news/?num=21026|title=The Democratic Party of Japan}}
The new party was founded on 27 March 2016 with the leadership consisting of Katsuya Okada as party president, Yukio Edano as secretary-general and Shiori Yamao as policy chief.{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/27/national/politics-diplomacy/democratic-party-launches-vow-halt-ruling-coalition/|title=Democratic Party launches with vow to halt ruling coalition|first=Tomohiro|last=Osaki|date=27 March 2016|via=Japan Times Online}} The party platform committed to protecting the existing pacifist Japanese constitution, and stating opposition to the "Abenomics" policies of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201603280036.html|title=New largest opposition party formed between DPJ and JIP:The Asahi Shimbun|access-date=2016-04-04|archive-date=2016-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416175107/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201603280036.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-03/27/c_135227248.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413151726/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-03/27/c_135227248.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 13, 2016|title=Largest opposition party formed in Japan, eyes upper house poll — Xinhua — English.news.cn}}{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/14/national/politics-diplomacy/introducing-minshin-to-japans-new-main-opposition-force/|title=Introducing Minshin To, Japan's new main opposition force|first=Reiji|last=Yoshida|date=14 March 2016|via=Japan Times}}
=2016 House of Councillors election=
{{Main|2016 Japanese House of Councillors election}}
The election on 10 July 2016 was the first major election contested by the new party. Following the merger, the party entered the election with 62 seats in the 242-seat House, with 45 of those 62 seats being contested. During the nomination period, the party signed an agreement with the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), Social Democratic Party and People's Life Party to field a jointly-endorsed candidate in each of the 32 districts in which only one seat is contested, uniting in an attempt to take control of the House from the ruling LDP–Komeito coalition.{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/07/national/politics-diplomacy/opposition-parties-activists-ink-policy-pact-upper-house-election/ |title=Opposition parties, activists ink policy pact for Upper House election |newspaper=Japan Times |date=7 June 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}} Despite the agreement, Democratic Party leader Okada stated that forming a coalition government with the JCP would be "impossible" in the near future due to some of the "extreme leftist policies" promoted by the JCP.{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/21/national/politics-diplomacy/abe-take-responsibility-ldp-fails-win-61-seats-upper-house-election/ |title=Abe to 'take responsibility' if ruling bloc fails to win 61 seats in Upper House election |newspaper=Japan Times |last=Osaki |first=Tomohiro |date=21 June 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}}
The party had a total of 55 official candidates contesting the election, the same number as the DPJ in the 2013 election and the third-most behind the LDP and Communist Party.{{cite news|url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/sangiin/2016/news2/20160623-OYT1T50006.html |title=第3極衰退で候補者減、タレント候補10人に |trans-title=Fewer candidates with the demise of the third pole - 10 celebrity candidates |language=ja |newspaper=Yomiuri Shimbun |date=23 June 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}} 33 candidates contested the single- and multi-member districts and 22 were in the party's list for the 48-seat national proportional representation block. A further 15 independent candidates contesting single-seat districts were endorsed by the party. The party suffered a considerable defeat at the hands of the ruling coalition, losing 13 seats overall. Five of the 15 endorsed independents were also elected, including two that claimed seats formerly held by retiring Democratic Party members.{{cite web|url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/election/sangiin/2016/ |title=参院選2016(参議院選挙) |trans-title=House of Councillors election 2016 |language=ja |access-date=29 August 2016 |work=Yomiuri Shimbun}} Following the loss, Okada announced he would not seek re-election as leader at the party's annual meeting in September.{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/30/national/politics-diplomacy/democratic-party-chief-okada-wont-seek-re-election-source/ |title=Democratic Party chief Okada won't seek re-election |date=30 July 2016 |work=Japan Times |access-date=29 August 2016}}
=2017 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election and Renhō's resignation=
The 2017 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election caused the party to lose 13 seats in the Assembly, which left them with only 5 seats.{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/05/national/politics-diplomacy/tokyo-vote-prompts-crisis-confidence-renhos-democratic-party/#.WYDDi1qGMnU|title=Tokyo vote prompts crisis of confidence for Renho's Democratic Party|newspaper=The Japan Times|date=5 July 2017|last=Yoshida|first=Reiji}} This prompted both the secretary-general, Yoshihiko Noda, on 25 July 2017,{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/25/national/politics-diplomacy/dps-no-2-noda-steps-take-responsibility-tokyo-election-drubbing/#.WYDE1VqGMnU|title=DP's No. 2 Noda steps down to take responsibility for Tokyo election drubbing|date=25 July 2017|newspaper=The Japan Times|last=Osaki|first=Tomohiro}} and the president of the party, Renhō, on 27 July 2017, to resign.{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/27/national/politics-diplomacy/main-opposition-chief-renho-resigns-dp-leadership/#.WYDE51qGMnU|title=Main opposition chief Renho resigns Democratic Party leadership|date=27 July 2017|newspaper=The Japan Times|last=Yoshida|first=Reiji}} This is regarded as showing how public trust for the DP has declined.
=2017 leadership election=
The election for a new leader to replace Renhō took place on 1 September, and campaigning began on 21 August. The two candidates were Seiji Maehara, who announced his intention to run on 2 August,{{cite news| issn = 0447-5763| title = Maehara and Edano set sights on Democratic Party leadership| newspaper = The Japan Times| date=2 August 2017| url = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/08/02/national/politics-diplomacy/opposition-democratic-party-choose-new-leader-sept-1/}} and Yukio Edano, who declared his candidacy on 1 August.{{cite news| issn = 0447-5763| title = Edano officially throws hat into DP leadership race| newspaper = The Japan Times| date = 29 July 2017| url = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/29/national/politics-diplomacy/edano-officially-throws-hat-dp-leadership-race/}} The election was won by Maehara.[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/09/01/national/politics-diplomacy/maeharas-election-democratic-party-president-may-put-pressure-abe-coalition/ Struggling DP elects Maehara as next president]. The Japan Times. Author — Tomohiro Osaki. Published 1 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.[https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Ailing-Japan-opposition-picks-Maehara-as-new-leader Ailing Japan opposition picks Maehara as new leader]. Nikkei Asian Review. Author — Tsubasa Suruga. Published 1 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
=2017 House of Representatives election and aftermath=
On 28 September 2017, Maehara announced that the party had abandoned plans to contest the 2017 general election scheduled for 22 October.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1bbbdde8-a425-11e7-9e4f-7f5e6a7c98a2|title=Become an FT subscriber to read {{pipe}} Financial Times|newspaper=Financial Times|date=28 September 2017|last1=Harding|first1=Robin}}{{cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Japan-s-Koike-wins-over-more-key-politicians|title = Japan's Koike wins over more key politicians}} The DP caucus in the House of Representatives disbanded, with the party's existing representatives set to contest the election as candidates for the Party of Hope recently formed by Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike or as independents.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/09/28/national/politics-diplomacy/abe-dissolves-lower-house-opposition-bands-together/|title = Democratic Party effectively disbands, throwing support behind Koike's party for Lower House poll|date = 28 September 2017}} On 2 October 2017, DP deputy president Yukio Edano announced the formation of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) for liberals and left-leaning members of the DP whom Koike had rejected for running as Party of Hope candidates.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/10/02/national/politics-diplomacy/former-dp-heavyweight-yukio-edano-seeks-fill-void-new-liberal-minded-party/#.WdIu_R3TWEc|title = Former DP heavyweight Yukio Edano seeks to fill void with new liberal-minded party|date = 2 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Japan-Update/Japan-s-largest-opposition-party-splits|title = Japan's largest opposition party splits}} On 23 October 2017, in the aftermath of the election, Maehara announced his resignation as party president, with the CDP having replaced the DP as the largest opposition party in the lower house, while the DP continues to exist in the House of Councillors.{{cite web |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201710240049.html |title=CDP looking for allies; Koike won't step down; Maehara to quit:The Asahi Shimbun |website=www.asahi.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024163327/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201710240049.html |archive-date=2017-10-24}}{{cite web |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201710260038.html |title=Shattered Democratic Party to remain, pick new leader:The Asahi Shimbun |website=www.asahi.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026122009/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201710260038.html |archive-date=2017-10-26}} On 31 October 2017, member of the House of Councillors Kohei Otsuka was chosen as the leader of the Democratic Party to succeed Maehara.{{cite web |url=http://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/AJ201710310050.html |title=Democratic Party selects Otsuka as new party president:The Asahi Shimbun |access-date=2017-11-01 |archive-date=2018-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708095208/http://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/AJ201710310050.html |url-status=dead }}
= Road to a new party =
In January 2018, the DP and the Party of Hope agreed to form a joint parliamentary group in both houses of the Diet, with each party remaining organisationally separate, but being subject to a common whip.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/01/15/national/politics-diplomacy/japanese-opposition-parties-dp-kibo-no-agree-join-forces-nodas-cdp/|title = Japanese opposition parties DP and Kibo no to agree to join forces|date = 15 January 2018}} However, several days later, the negotiations broke down.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/01/17/national/politics-diplomacy/alliance-negotiations-two-japanese-opposition-parties-break/|title = Alliance negotiations between two Japanese opposition parties break down|date = 17 January 2018}} On 9 April 2018, it was announced that exploratory talks to merge the DP and Party of Hope into a new opposition party were being held.{{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/04/10/national/politics-diplomacy/japans-democratic-party-kibo-no-launch-merger-talks/ |title=Japan's Democratic Party and Kibo no To launch merger talks |publisher=The Japan Times |date=10 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422065349/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/04/10/national/politics-diplomacy/japans-democratic-party-kibo-no-launch-merger-talks/ |access-date=2022-07-30|archive-date=2018-04-22 }}
On 24 April 2018, the leadership of the DP and the Party of Hope announced in a joint press conference that both parties had agreed to merge in May 2018 under the name National Democratic Party. Several factions in both parties did not plan to join the new party. The members of these factions are expected to form their own splinter parties or remain as independents.{{cite news|url=http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004395382|title=DP, Kibo to merge into new party as early as May 7|newspaper=Yomiuri Shimbun|author=Jiji Press|date=25 April 2018|access-date=26 April 2018|archive-date=26 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426144513/http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004395382|url-status=dead}} The DP and Party of Hope merged to form the Democratic Party For the People on 7 May 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/05/07/national/politics-diplomacy/rock-bottom-opinion-polls-japanese-opposition-parties-kibo-no-democratic-party-decide-merge/#.WvBVoS-ZOV4|title = Rock bottom in opinion polls, Japanese opposition parties Kibo no to and Democratic Party decide to merge|date = 7 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004422077|title=The Japan News|access-date=2018-05-07|archive-date=2018-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507222157/http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004422077|url-status=dead}}
Policies
Democratic Party are generally classified as centre{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-japan-election-20171022-story.html|title=With a landslide win, Shinzo Abe could be ready to rewrite Japan's pacifist constitution|last=Blair|first=Gavin|website=Los Angeles Times|date=22 October 2017|access-date=11 December 2017}} to centre-left.{{cite news|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-09-15/japans-democratic-party-chooses-new-leader|title=Japan's Democratic Party chooses a new leader|date=15 September 2016|publisher=Public Radio International}} However, unlike the "social-liberal" Democratic Party in 1998, it is generally regarded as a simple "liberal" party because it was founded by absorbing centre-right conservative parties.{{cite web |url=https://www.minshin.jp/about-dp/principles |date=27 March 2016 |website=minshin.jp |language=ja |script-title=ja:民進党綱領 |trans-title=The Democratic Party's platform |access-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711011309/https://www.minshin.or.jp/about-dp/principles |archive-date=11 July 2016 }}
The policies of the DP differed little from the policies of its predecessor, the DPJ, with policies such as increasing diversity, contributing to world peace, preserving democracy, and promoting prosperity. They are considered to be open-minded in terms of North Korea, with one member of the party saying that doing nothing would not be responsible.{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/japans-desire-for-ability-to-preemptively-strike-north-korea-grows-2017-03-08|title = Japan's desire for ability to preemptively strike North Korea grows}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-american-interest.com/2017/03/09/japan-mulls-first-strike-capability-against-north-korea/|title=Japan Mulls First-Strike Capability Against North Korea|date=9 March 2017}} The DP, like its Democratic Party predecessor, is opposed to nuclear power.{{cite magazine|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/04/22/make-japan-democratic-again/|title=Make Japan Democratic Again|last=Harris|first=Tobias|magazine=Foreign Policy|date=22 April 2016}} The DP wants to raise the minimum wage of Japan.
Presidents of the Democratic Party
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
rowspan=2|No.
!rowspan=2|Name !rowspan=2|Image !rowspan=2|Constituency / title !colspan=2|Term of office !rowspan=2|Election results ! colspan="2" style="width:20%;" rowspan="2"|Prime Minister of Japan {{small|(term)}} |
---|
Took office
!Left office |
style="background:lightblue;" colspan="9"|Preceding parties: Democratic Party (1998) & Japan Innovation Party {{small|(centre)}} |
1
|Katsuya Okada |Rep for Mie 3rd |27 March 2016 |15 September 2016 |align=left| {{small|see former DPJ 2015 election}} | rowspan="4" style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" | ! rowspan="4" style="font-weight:normal"|Abe S. {{nowrap|2012–20}} |
2
|Renhō |Cou for Tokyo |15 September 2016 |1 September 2017 |see 2016 election |
3
|Seiji Maehara |Rep for Kyoto 2nd |1 September 2017 |30 October 2017The Japan Times, October 30, 2017: [https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/10/30/national/politics-diplomacy/democratic-party-leader-seiji-maehara-resigns-merger-disarray/ Democratic Party leader Seiji Maehara resigns over merger disarray] |see Sep 2017 election |
4
|Kohei Otsuka |Cou for Aichi |31 October 2017Mainichi Shimbun, October 31, 2017: [https://mainichi.jp/articles/20171101/k00/00m/010/105000c 新代表に大塚氏 幹事長や国対委員長は不在] |7 May 2018 |see Oct 2017 election |
style="background:lightblue;" colspan="9"|Successor parties: Constitutional Democratic Party (2017) {{small|(centre-left)}}, Kibō no Tō {{small|(centre-right)}}, & Democratic Party For the People (2018) {{small|(centre)}} |
Factions
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2016}}
The Democratic Party, like its predecessor Democratic Party of Japan, was composed of factions originating in the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan Socialist Party and the Democratic Socialist Party, augmented by the merger with the Japan Innovation Party. Significant factions existing within the party included:
- The Eda-Matsuno Group or the ex-Japan Innovation Party group (旧維新の党グループ Kyū Ishin no tō gurūpo) led by Kenji Eda and Yorihisa Matsuno, composed of the mostly Tokyo-centred group of the Japan Innovation Party that merged to form the Democratic Party in 2016 (the Osaka-centred group is now Nippon Ishin no Kai).
- The Kan Group or the "National Structure Research Council" (国のかたち研究会 Koku-no-katachi kenkyūkai) of former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, a moderate centrist group.
- The Akamatsu Group or "Sanctuary" (サンクチュアリ Sankuchuari) of Hirotaka Akamatsu, formerly of the JSP and a moderately social-democratic group.
- The Genba Group or the "Grand Design Japan Research Council (『日本のグランド・デザイン』研究会 Nihon no gurando-dezain" kenkyūkai) of Kōichirō Genba, a liberal group.
- The ex-DSP Group or Takagi Group, known as the "Democratic Socialist Association" (民社協会 Minsha kyōkai) of Yoshiaki Takaki and Hiroshi Nakai, representing the former Democratic Socialist Party tradition in the DP. Social-democratic, nationalist and revisionist.
- The Ōhata Group or the "Elementary Exchange Group" (素交会 Sokōkai) of Akihiro Ōhata, a moderate progressive group.
- The Yokomichi Group or the "New Political Discussion Group" (新政局懇談会 Shin-seikyoku kondankai) of former parliamentary speaker Takahiro Yokomichi. A social democratic group originating in the JSP and was one of the more left-wing factions of the party.
- The Hosono Group or the "Oath Committee" (自誓会 Jiseikai) of Gōshi Hosono. A conservative group.
- The Noda Group or "Kaisei Group" (花斉会 Kaseikai) of former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. A moderately conservative group.
- The Hiraoka-Kondō or "Liberal Committee" (リベラルの会 Riberaru-no-kai) of Shōichi Kondō and Hideo Hiraoka. A progressive liberal group.
- The Nagashima Group or "National Axis Committee" (国軸の会 Kokujiku no kai) of Akihisa Nagashima. A conservative, nationalist and revisionist group.
- The Hata Group or "Governance Research Council" (政権戦略研究会 Seiken senryaku kenkyūkai) of former Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata, a moderate centrist group.
Election results
=General election results=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Election
! Leader ! # of candidates ! # of seats won ! # of Constituency votes ! % of Constituency vote ! # of PR Block votes ! % of PR Block vote ! Government/opposition |
---|
style="text-align:center;"
! 2017 | {{small|Seiji Maehara (de jure)}} | 30 {{efn|name=group}} | {{efn|name=banner|Under the "Democratic Party" banner}}{{Composition bar|14|465|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Japan, 2016)}}}} | 2,646,765 {{efn|name=group}} | 4.78% {{efn|name=group}} | style="background:lightgrey;"| no nomination | style="background:lightgrey;"| no nomination | {{no2|Opposition}} |
{{Notelist}}
In the 2017 general election of members of the House of Representatives, the Democratic Party did not nominate any candidates. Several of its remaining members were elected without party nomination. Most of these joined the formation of the "Group of Independents" (Mushozoku no kai) House of Representatives caucus led by Katsuya Okada in October 2017.Sankei News, October 26, 2017: [http://www.sankei.com/politics/news/171026/plt1710260016-n1.html 岡田克也元副総理ら13人が新会派 民進系無所属、野田佳彦前首相も] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028195801/http://www.sankei.com/politics/news/171026/plt1710260016-n1.html |date=2017-10-28 }} Some others such as Seiji Maehara have left the party after the election.nikkei.com, November 2, 2017: [https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO23055450S7A101C1PP8000/ 前原・菊田・鷲尾3氏、民進党を離党]
According to the party, its membership includes 14 members of the House of Representatives as of November, 2017:Democratic Party: Members of the National Diet, [https://www.minshin.or.jp/members/house/衆議院 House of Representatives]
- Katsuya Okada (member from Mie 3rd district serving in his 10th term)
- Kōichirō Genba (Fukushima 3, 9th term) – not member of the "Group of Independents" in the 195th Diet as of November 1, 2017, but an independent in terms of caucus membership (see List of members of the Diet of Japan)
- Jun Azumi (Miyagi 5, 8th term)
- Yoshihiko Noda (Chiba 4, 8th term)
- Masaharu Nakagawa (Mie 2, 8th term)
- Kazuhiro Haraguchi (Saga 1, 8th term)
- Hirofumi Hirano (Osaka 11, 7th term)
- Kenji Eda (Kanagawa 8, 6th term)
- Takashi Shinohara (Nagano 1, 6th term)
- Akio Fukuda (Tochigi 2, 5th term)
- Katsuhito Nakajima (Yamanashi 1, 3rd term) – not member of the "Group of Independents"
- Takahiro Kuroiwa (Niigata 3, 3rd term)
- Kazuhiko Shigetoku (Aichi 12, 3rd term) – not member of the "Group of Independents"
- Emi Kaneko (Fukushima 1, 2nd term)
=Councillors election results=
= Prefectural election results (incomplete) =
- June 2016 Okinawa assembly election: Since the time of the national DPJ government, Democrats have been a minor force in the prefecture; the DP only nominated one candidate who was not elected.
- July 2016 Kagoshima gubernatorial election: DP and SDP supported the candidacy of former journalist Satoshi Mitazono who defeated LDP-Kōmeitō-supported three-term incumbent Yūichirō Itō.
- October 2016 Niigata gubernatorial election: Ryūichi Yoneyama (LDP→JRP→JIP→DP), previously head of the DP Niigata 5th district branch and former unsuccessful candidate for both Houses of the Diet, stood with leftist support (JCP, LP, SDP, NSP, Greens) and defeated LDP-Kōmeitō-supported Tamio Mori.
- July 2017 Tokyo assembly election: After having already lost several members to governor Koike's Tomin First no Kai in the run-up to the election, it lost another two seats in the election down to five.
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Democratic Party (Japan, 2016)|Democratic Party}}
- [http://www.minshin.jp Democratic Party official website] {{in lang|ja}}
- [https://www.dpj.or.jp/english/ Democratic Party of Japan official website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160316010606/https://ishinnotoh.jp/ Japan Innovation Party official website] {{in lang|ja}}
{{Democratic Party (Japan, 2016)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2016 establishments in Japan
Category:2018 disestablishments in Japan
Category:Centrist parties in Japan
Category:Centre-left parties in Asia
Category:Defunct liberal political parties
Category:Defunct political parties in Japan
Category:Liberal parties in Japan