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Main opposition party pledges to achieve growth by reducing inequality, poverty

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Reducing poverty is a noble goal.

Reducing inequality, not so much.

-12 ( +10 / -22 )

As usual ... empty words, NO ACTION.

-11 ( +11 / -22 )

Say good bye to "free market" policies in Japan. The equality stance certainly resonates with the Japanese public, as seen by this growing political consensus. The Japanese were never suited to neo-liberalism, anyway. Individuals getting ahead, leaving the group behind, goes against the culture.

exempt people who earn less than about 10 million yen annually from paying income tax.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that about $90,000, and therefore includes the vast majority of the working population?

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that about $90,000, and therefore includes the vast majority of the working population?

Correct, I think something like 10% of people in Japan earn above 10 million. So he's saying 90% of people will not pay any income tax.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan unveiled its campaign platform Wednesday for the general election this month, pledging to achieve economic growth by reducing inequality and poverty.

This is the way to go about it, trickle up policies that raise living standards and stimulate demand in a consumer driven economy like Japan's.

The endgame of all the decades of trickle down neo-feudalistic policies is the wealthy sequestering riches in tax havens and the majority of the public living on less and less, killing many industries. Some people have to have the wherewithal to buy the products these businesses are making?

13 ( +19 / -6 )

Bla bla bla! They can say whatever they want. How about giving the people an idea of how you intend to achieve it?

Poverty - fix the pension system and abolish the short term, low salary work contracts which accounts for 60% of the workforce

Inequality - same job, same pay, regardless of gender. Like that will ever happen Japan.

Bla, bla, bla, bla……….

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

anybody with half a brain should be voting for the opposition.

19 ( +28 / -9 )

In Japan, this means:

"Reducing inequality and poverty by 10% over the next 30 years."

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Nice! Now EVERYONE can make a measly ¥250,000 a month!!!

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

I am seriously hoping these people get in. If the population vote back in LDP after everything that's gone on in the past 10 years, this country is well and truly finished.

I'm one of those at exactly 10m and MORE than happy to pay more tax. I just want it to be used PROPERLY.

You know, things like Education, Health, support for lower-income people.

But No Dentsu, No Olympics, No Accenture, No GoTo, No Govt. mates contracts

19 ( +24 / -5 )

Even if the LDP's support falls, the government will not be replaced because the opposition will not be supported at all.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Hmm so means I am still going to need to pay tax.. I wonder how much more per dollar it will be.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Present situation in Japan is so disadvantageous to opposition parties.

since last month when the then PM declared resignation virtually, Japan's nationwide broadcasts or newspapers ignore political fairness or neutrality, continue to spend huge hours and space to introduce or propagandize LDP, and cooperated to push up its support rate rapidly.

On the other hand, opposition parties are almost ignored, option except LDP is equal to invisible for Japanese general public.

16 ( +20 / -4 )

Ah, yes. Utopia!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

It’s not just the LDP but the bureaucrats that need a clean out, they resisted every action the Kahn administration tried to do. Overshadowed by the Nuclear mess the LDP and same bureaucrats created.

How bad does life have to become for 60% of the population before they lift their heads out of their phones and “think?” Why are bureaucrats and politicians earning in a month or two my entire years earnings and still want to take more. Something to think about as you share your one cup noodles with your children.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

We will ask those who have benefited from Abenomics to pay a fair share,

I am of course willing to contribute my full share from that epoch, an unused corona mask. lol

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Let them work, wait and let's see..

To quote Yoda, but it works just as well with the dysfunctional relationship between the Japanese public and ruling LDP ; " “And that is why you fail.”

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Its quite funny to watch the political theatrics. There is no difference between these “opposing parties”. They all preach the same thing but once they get into the drivers seat the only thing that changes is the flow of money from the losing team into theirs. It really is that simple. Big business has the largest sway in how the country is governed and steered and giving away money to the people is not one of them. Do you really think they are going to tax themselves? They have the whole thing tied up nicely. It’s impossible for a young maverick to get into an elected position to make the necessary changes. All the likely candidates have gone through years of grooming and training to become a mouth piece for the party political machine. Democracy? It’s a joke! I am not just referring to Japan either it’s pretty much the same the world over. Look at the USA, they may as well have elected a mannequin, ahhh that’s right they actually did! And one that can’t string a sentence or an idea together. Can the world get anymore absurd than it already is? Sure it can!

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

replacing the LDP would be the fastest and most efficient way of helping the people of Japan

12 ( +17 / -5 )

jojo_in_japanToday  06:55 am JST

As usual ... empty words, NO ACTION.

It's the opposition. They're not in power. What do you expect?

That being said, I do think it would have been preferable for the CFPJ to get these ideas put to the vote in the Diet. The LDP and Komeito majority would certainly all vote against them, but it would show they were serious about getting stuff done and they could claim that government politicians were voting against them not on principle, but for purely partisan reasons.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Say good bye to "free market" policies in Japan.

When the (so-called) 'free market' fails as miserably as it has failed, not only in Japan but in USA and Western Europe, isn't it a good idea to 'say goodbye' to it?

0 ( +5 / -5 )

...the party promised to effectively exempt people who earn less than about 10 million yen annually from paying income tax.

...cash handouts of 120,000 yen per year to low-income individuals

Glad to see the C Democratic Party making concrete proposals counter to the LDP. Hopefully those who have the power to vote do so and get these wanna be LDP Reaganites out of office.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I like him and his ideas are fresh and with sense compared to the fossils from the LDP.

I truly hope that the Democratic Party will be allowed to have a chance to lead this country.

Every Japanese that believe in true democracy,peace,human rights and welfare should give a vote to this man.

And we expats living here from long time should hope the same as well,because in the last decade and more the Jiminto made laws and rules to make life of expats harder and for sure not promoting equality etc.

But in the end this is from the Japanese to decide,my only concern is that with a very aging population they will keep voting the old ultra conservative LDP,but I hope to be wrong.

Good luck to Mr.Edano and wish him victory.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Edano is about as electable as Jeremy Corbyn in the UK was. Sadly - watch for the LDP to increase their seat count.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

zichiToday  10:23 am JST

Edano was previously in government but failed the country and people with the nuclear disaster.

Failure isn't an obstacle to attaining high office in Japan. It didn't stop Shinzo Abe in 2012, unfortunately, and he failed the people in the Tohoku region for the next eight years.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

he's facing a boring opponent that already flip flopped so there's a chance

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I don’t think they really need any plan. They just need to point out the sliw response of LDP during the pandemic.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Under 10 million and exempt from tax? What’s not to like? Let’s get this strangely nationalist sounding party in government! The party name and picture where you can’t see the leader’s face are not helping though. Get some publicity out there for this under 10 mil tax cut asap-I’d prefer that than kishida making salarymen more wealthy and the cost of living higher at the expense of national debt..

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Is there a main opposition party?…

3 ( +5 / -2 )

There is no "main" opposition party. There used to be, but then they had the bright idea of splitting in two, thus ensuring that their already slim chance of regaining power became even slimmer.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

He could promise free trios to the moon ..... It makes no difference as they will not be winning any elections in the near future..

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

They're not perfect, but they're better than the LDP.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Sure, the LDP are a bunch of bozos, but hey, the "main opposition" clowns didn't do so well that last time they were up to bat. Nothing makes me think they'll do any better this time either.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

It sounds nice but I think most sensible people will realise that these promises are totally irresponsible - but when you have virtually no chance of taking power you can pretty much say what you want. I believe that those with no intention to vote and those who will vote for the LDP make up 80% of the electorate. We also don't know if they are 'better' then the LDP as they've never held power.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

As usual ... empty words, NO ACTION

How is it empty when they are not the ruling party and no chance of implementing any policy,

3 ( +7 / -4 )

I still can’t understand why the Japanese people keep voting for the LDP. LDP has done nothing positive for the middle income earners ( more than half the population ) and poor people! LDP keeps throwing taxpayers money on unnecessary stuff and the common man will suffer the consequences down the road!

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Once China takes over Taiwan, it will focus on its relationship with Japan and try to pick it away from the US alliance. The LDP will not let that happen but the opposition is much more pro-China based on its actions last time in power.

How you managed to bring up China is beyond believe! There is more to life than China China China!

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Sure, the LDP are a bunch of bozos, but hey, the "main opposition" clowns didn't do so well that last time they were up to bat. Nothing makes me think they'll do any better this time either.

Did do so well relative to what ? The LDP, even South Korea and a whole bunch of lesser countries have overtaken the 3rd largest economy in hourly pay rate and per capita income all under the rein of the LDP

Yeah, that's what the LDP friendly keeps on telling us but what they conveniently don't tell us is that the bureaucrats sabotaged their policies in anger to the dpj trying to rein on bureaucratic wasteful spending,

2 ( +4 / -2 )

JimToday  02:23 pm JST

I still can’t understand why the Japanese people keep voting for the LDP. 

They don't. LDP candidates don't win majorities in a lot of constituencies but the opposition is split so no one other candidate gets more votes. Furthermore rural constituencies often have just half the populations of urban ones, there are still lots of rural constituencies and, guess what - aging, slow-witted rednecks like their local LDP good ol' boys, as they think keeping them in office is the way to get taxpayer money spent in their areas. The whole set-up stinks, basically.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Tom SanToday  01:39 pm JST

Sure, the LDP are a bunch of bozos, but hey, the "main opposition" clowns didn't do so well that last time they were up to bat. Nothing makes me think they'll do any better this time either.

It's not exactly the same party. The DPJ was a useless mish-mash of conservatives, liberals, ex-LDP and ex-JSP members who couldn't agree on anything or get much done. The CDPJ consists of the left-leaning politicians from the DPJ/DP that Koike wouldn't allow in her LDP mk.2 so at least they're all kind of on the same page and Edano won't get into deals with anyone he doesn't see eye-to-eye with. I would feel a bit more optimistic about them than I do about the LDP, but elections here are basically rigged so there's no way they're getting in no matter how well or badly they might do.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Edano claimed for a whole week there was no nuclear meltdown at Fukushima.

He was the spokesperson for the government he might have been echoing what Tepco told the government so I will cut him some slack,

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It's almost as if everyone here suffers from amnesia when thinking back to the last time these "opposition" figures held the reins of power. What happened then? Nothing. Nothing at all changed.

In spite of incredibly pie-in-the-sky promises, such as these from Yukio aka "ET/The Alien" Hatoyama, the former Opposition Prime Minister: "We will abolish public school tuition fees." "We will increase spending on nursing and medical care by 9.8%, and will increase Education spending by 8.2%." "We will close the Futenma Air Force Base on Okinawa in just a few years time." "We will reduce Japan's CO2 emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020."

The Opposition had 3 whole years in government and...Yeah...all those promises didn't happen, now, did they? And you wanna know why? Really?

It's this: The Government doesn't actually run Japan. The professional bureaucrats run Japan. You can claim your party will jump over the moon if elected, and a lot of people out there will vote you in despite feeling skepticism towards your ridiculously over-ambitious promises, but if the Ministries don't want to do that? Nothing doing!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I’m reading through the Isshin party manifesto / plan to reform Japan.

They are calling for a “great reset”, and essentially the elimination of privilege. It looks pretty good to me - not perfect - but definitely where this household’s vote will be going.

Unfortunately I can’t see how either the LDP or the CDPJ and the like plan to pay for tens of trillions of yen of extra spending.

Isshin is Japan’s only serious hope.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Too late.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

In order for this to happen people will be getting handouts and instead of being "Stressed and Over worked" they will become "lazy and senile" waiting for hand outs from the government

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

the party promised to effectively exempt people who earn less than about 10 million yen annually from paying income tax

The contempt Japan’s ruling circles have for the intelligence of those they consider beneath them knows no bounds. It’s bad enough that they mock the peons by dangling such ludicrously unrealistic fantasies that don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of ever coming to fruition. Even worse, when it’s the main opposition party lying through its teeth in a way that’s all but guaranteed to render whatever chances it might have had effectively zero. For services rendered, they've earned the right to yet another stint as Jiminto’s ugly step sister’s hardly any less ugly cousin.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

fxgaiOct. 14  08:13 pm JST

Isshin is Japan’s only serious hope.

Not if they don't have candidates in every constituency and PR block.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How much thought does your average Jo Tanaka give to the different policies on offer and what sort of country they would like Japan to become?

They say we get the leaders we deserve.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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