The landslide victory by Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) yesterday signals the collapse of the pro-China faction in Japanese politics, academics said today.
The LDP, led by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, secured 316 seats in Japan’s House of Representatives in yesterday’s election.
It was the first time since World War II that a party has won more than two-thirds of the seats in the 465-member house.
Photo: AFP
The Institute for National Policy Research and Taiwan Society of Japan Studies held a news conference today to discuss the results of the election and its impact.
Takaichi has been able to unite the LDP, showing that factional politics within the party are weakening, institute vice president Kuo Yu-jen (郭育仁) said.
While there has been speculation about Japan revising its constitution to change pacifist language, Kuo said it would still be difficult, as it would require two-thirds approval from Japan’s upper and lower houses of parliament followed by a national referendum.
The LDP-Japan Innovation Party coalition does not hold a majority in the House of Councillors, Japan’s upper house of parliament, Kuo said.
Yesterday’s election shows that there is no room for “vague centrist positions” in Japanese politics, Foundation of Asia-Pacific Peace Studies director Tung Li-wen (董立文) said.
Only clearly defined policies can meet voter and international expectations, and ensure the country’s development and survival, Tung said.
Japan would continue to strengthen itself and take pro-US, pro-Taiwan stances while maintaining a tough stance on China, he said.
Takaichi advocates for strengthening the state and has already broken out of the traditional framework of Japanese politics, Tung said.
Takaichi effectively saved the entire LDP, signaling that the party would follow her lead, he said, adding that Japan’s opposition parties would also move toward a “Takaichi-style” path.
While China tried to punish Takaichi and intimidate Japanese politicians after comments she made suggesting support for Taiwan last year, China’s actions failed and backfired, Tung said.
Moving forward, Japan-China relations would be “friendly at best, with no limit to how badly they can fall,” likely heading toward a path of cold confrontation, he added.
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