Party leaders face off ahead of election campaigns
15:49 JST, June 21, 2022
The leaders of nine ruling and opposition parties participated in an in-person debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Tuesday, the day before the official start of campaigning for the House of Councillors election.
Voting and ballot counting for the upper house poll are scheduled to take place on July 10.
Topics in the debate included measures to counter rising prices and strengthen the nation’s defense capabilities.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, president of the Liberal Democratic Party, vowed to “protect the lives and livelihoods of the public in the face of challenges such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and soaring prices.”
“We will realize sustainable growth by overcoming decarbonization and the declining birthrate,” he said.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan President Kenta Izumi said: “The CDPJ has the most concrete solution to the rapid depreciation of the yen and rising prices. Inflation cannot be left unchecked. We will fight against surging prices for the whole nation.”
The debate lineup also included Komeito Chief Representative Natsuo Yamaguchi, Nippon Ishin no Kai leader Ichiro Matsui, Japanese Communist Party chief Kazuo Shii, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto, Social Democratic Party chief Mizuho Fukushima and Takashi Tachibana, head of the party to protect the people from NHK (NHK Party).
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan Election: Komeito Leader Keiichi Ishii Fails to Win Seat in Election; Party to Be Forced to Restructure Administration (Update 1)
-
Japan’s Special Diet Session likely to Open Nov. 11; Politicians Will Vote to Select Prime Minister
-
Shigeru Ishiba Retains Post as Japanese Prime Minister; Wins Runoff Against Head of Largest Opposition Party
-
Japan Election: Japan’s Ruling Bloc Could Seek Broader Coalition Amid Turmoil; CDPJ Hoping to Trigger Change of Government
-
Japan Election: CDPJ Eyes Bringing Together Anti-LDP Forces; Differences with DPFP, JIP Could Be Obstacles
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Streaming Services Boost Anime Popularity Overseas; Former ‘Geeky’ Interest More Beloved Among Gen Z than 3 Major U.S. Sports
- G20 Sees Soft Landing for Global Economy; Leaders Pledge to Resist Protectionism as Trump Calls for Imported Goods Flat Tariff
- Chinese Rights Lawyer’s Wife Seeks Support in Japan; Sophie Luo Calls for Beijing to Free Ding Jiaxi, Xu Zhiyong
- ‘Women Over 30 Would Have Uteruses Removed’; Remarks of CPJ Leader, Novelist Naoki Hyakuta Get Wide Attention
- Typhoon Kong-rey to Reach South of Japan’s Okinawa on Thursday; JWA Urges High Alert for Strong Winds, Heavy Rain