JAPAN: Disagreements On Security & Nuclear Hinder Prospect Of CDP-DPFP Alliance

Disagreements over policies regarding security and nuclear power appear to be the key obstacles to an agreement between opposition parties on backing a joint candidate for PM. After a meeting between the leaders of the liberal Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), libertarian-federalist Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), and conservative populist Democratic Party for the People (DPFP), DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki said, "I told [CDP leader] Yoshihiko Noda that the security legislation cannot be recognised as not unconstitutional. Representative Noda said he would maintain the assertion that the security legislation has unconstitutional elements and would not reconsider zero nuclear power."

• The 2015 'Legislation for Peace and Security' saw a reinterpretation of the Japanese constitution, which allows the military to act only in self-defence. The reinterpretation saw Japan's Self-Defence Forces enabled to operate in foreign conflicts under the auspices of 'collective self-defence' for allies.
• The CDP's official policy document says the party would, "...take necessary measures such as abolishing the unconstitutional parts of the security legislation."
• On nuclear power, the document says the CDP would "Not build or expand nuclear power plants, but aim to promptly shut down and decommission all nuclear power plants."
• In contrast, the DPFP supports restarting and expanding Japan's nuclear power sector, as well as boosting investment in defence production and capabilities.
• If these policies prove unmovable red lines for both the CDP and DPFP, it would almost certainly end the prospect of a governing coalition involving the two parties, and limit the chances of them cooperating on a joint PM candidate.