Edano to form new group for Democratic Party members rejected by Koike

New party same politics!

@Akie

is someone a loser if they're not asked to join a right-wing group? Hardly

The end result will be a party not split up by internal divisions and that can only be a good thing. Now it's up to to them to perform

What a stupid motivation to form a new group. It is really a loser's group.

tinawatanabe: "Have you seen an election of their leader? They are communists."

I don't think you even understand what Communism means. If you did, you would not be saying members of the Communist party are Communist. They are anything but.

They have to do something to keep their politician's pension. They'll keep a couple of seats in the back bench to draw their exuberant salaries and tax payer funded benefits.

Definatly the communist party should name change, it's not communist just common sence

Have you seen an election of their leader? They are communists.

There are two very big positives to the Hope Party.

One is that, they are strong supporters of decentralization of political power, and giving back power to local regions, which if ever happens, will lead to a major change in Japanese political culture.

Second is, even if they don't win, they are already becoming an actual, real opposition to the LDP, which apart from what was described as a ''blip'' back in 2008, has never had any competition for more than 30 years.

Japan has been described by many as ''Democracy without competition'', i think if political decentralization occurs, we might see the beginning of an actual pluralistic democratic government, and the Hope Party could be the catalyst for it, without actually realizing it.

Hmm...a group, huh. Like, a therapy group? Group therapy?

The Hopeless Party?

This might be good news for DP's prospects. With an effective split conservative vote all they need are enough candidates to run and clean up. The rest depends on how they come out of the gate

In other news, I'm also creating a political party which will be equally effective as this new one.

The right wing parties all share the same Nippon Kaigi agenda and most of their candidates are members of that group. They should all merge and call themselves Nippon Kaigi instead of masquerading as different parties.

The many alternative, liberal parties should also merge, if their egos can stand the thought of not being the "leader" of a party comprising one man and his dog. At the very least it should make the news more bearable when they broadcast quotes from each of these one man bands.

I'm also waiting for LDP stooges Komeito to explain exactly when they decided it was a good idea to spend the consumption tax increase instead of reducing the deficit. Five seconds after Abe decided, without consulting them, that that was the plan? What a bunch of fawning, power-crazed frauds.

If it made up of rejects of two old parties in a one party system, it’s probably all the actual good guys

Good point. It's a pity it's being described as a party for those rejected by Kibo, I'd rather he styled his new party as the party for those who disagree with the right-wing policies of both Abe and Koike.

smithinjapan - I think you're underestimating the unpopularity of Abe. I'm even regularly seeing defaced posters of him, which is very unusual in Japan. There are now two conservative leaders without much difference in opinion about how to deal with North Korea, which is the issue that has recently increased Abe's approval rating, but one of them is untainted by corruption and offering a shutdown of nuclear power stations and no increase in sales tax. I think he will stuggle to form a government after this election.

Actually I view this as a positive development. DP gets rid of the baggage of their conservative wing plus former government ministers while being able to differentiate from LDP/ Kibo more than LDP / Kibo can from each other. They can clearly articulate why the Constitution should be left alone and show a different path. If they do who knows, but the election just got interesting

Aly: "Lets just hope that Abe doesn't come out of this the winner."

Unfortunately, he will. The ultra-right want him to change the Constitution YESTERDAY, so they will all go out and vote, and all vote for Abe. The rest of the people will either shrug and vote LDP, people in areas with poor representation will vote LDP (if their party is coalition), and then the more wishy-washy crowd either won't vote or will vote for one of the other parties. Abe might only get half or less of the vote, but the rest will be split up.

If it made up of rejects of two old parties in a one party system, it’s probably all the actual good guys haha.

He's not affiliated with Nippon Kaigi, he has that going for him at least.

a three-way battle among the LDP-Komeito ruling coalition, Koike's party and liberal force

Lets just hope that Abe doesn't come out of this the winner. Lets hope that the conservatives overwhelmingly vote for Kibo no To and Liberals vote for the new party. Either way, we need to see the back of Abe and the LDP's head.

Actually I do not understand why there is a Communist party, a "Shamin" party, and yet another new liberal party anyway. They all want to tax the rich more, have government spend even more money, and they oppose revisions to the constitution. I guess Edano and his allies are just too proud to go to Shamin and ask to join

That's a very good point. Even if they can't form one party, at least they should support each other and not run against one another, although if they actually got together and formed a liberal consensus they could be a very potent force.

a three-way battle among the LDP-Komeito ruling coalition, Koike's party and liberal force

I don't think that's the right way to look at it. It's not like your typical liberal voter was ever going to choose LDP or Kibo, and a typical conservative voter is never going to vote for a liberal party.

What we do have is now is more clarity, and more competition now for the conservative vote, which we did not have before. If you are a conservative but don't like cronyism, you now have a better option.

Also Liberal voters need not be so confused about what their options are, given that the mismash that was Minshuto will be disbanded. Actually I do not understand why there is a Communist party, a "Shamin" party, and yet another new liberal party anyway. They all want to tax the rich more, have government spend even more money, and they oppose revisions to the constitution. I guess Edano and his allies are just too proud to go to Shamin and ask to join.

Most of foreigners complain about Abe and LDP

Dont Why ?

It's good that they are trying to keep some semblance of an actual liberal party, but when they are only doing it because they were rejected by Koike's party after ditching their party to try and hold on to power, it's ultimately just a party of rejects.

A diversified opposition is needed or else we'll have ourselves another arrogant "LDP" in power!

No time to sleep now Edano;)!!

Even though the ruling parties is set to recieve a heavy blow, you can't yet say that the diversity of Japanese politics has been fully restored!

Ganbaro, Yukio Edano!!

The "no hope" party perhaps?