CDP, DPFP Face Growing Rift 3 Years after Merger Failure

   Tokyo, Sept. 18 (Jiji Press)--The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People are facing a growing rift, three years after the two opposition parties, both of which have their origins in the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan that once held power, failed to merge in September 2020.
   While the DPFP has taken a cooperative line with the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito ruling coalition, including its support for the government's fiscal 2022 budget bill, the CDP has taken a confrontational stance toward the LDP.
   The CDP has called on the DPFP to work together, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for the two parties to join forces.
   "We are expected to create a tense political situation from the perspective of working people," CDP leader Kenta Izumi told reporters at the party's headquarters on Friday, the third anniversary of the party's renewal. "I think some in the DPFP may feel this way," Izumi added.
   Meanwhile, DPFP chief Yuichiro Tamaki expressed his cautious view on cooperation with the CDP at the regular convention of the Nissan Motor Co. labor union, which supports the DPFP, on the same day. "In a rapidly changing world, opposition parties cannot meet the expectations of union members by merely opposing (the administration)," he said.

(2023/09/18-13:45)

To read a full story, please click here to find out how to subscribe.