Honeymoon over for Hashimoto’s new party

OSAKA – A war of words among the top leaders of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) over policy differences and who calls the shots has seen Japan’s newest national political party get off to a rocky start.

Tensions between Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who heads the fledgling party, and some Diet lawmakers who joined it had been building since a public discussion Sept. 23 exposed clear rifts between the two sides over nuclear power, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and how to resolve the territorial disputes with China and South Korea, among other issues.

But they burst into public view last week following reports that the party plans to hand Hashimoto broad powers when it comes time to select candidates for the next general election.

Through the title of a blog posting just before the party held its third public debate, Lower House member Kenta Matsunami, who quit the Liberal Democratic Party and now serves as Nippon Ishin no Kai’s secretary general, indicated he would not allow Hashimoto to create a dictatorship.

“Unlike the (first debate), I’m not a visitor any more. I’ve decided to say what needs to be said, without reservation. Even Hashimoto admits that national policy decisions should be made by the group of Diet members,” Matsunami wrote.

Following days of confusion and media polls showing the party’s popularity was rapidly dropping, the party’s Diet lawmakers and Hashimoto went into damage control mode Wednesday, attempting to clear the air but admitting Nippon Ishin no Kai’s honeymoon period is over.

“There were lots of confusing reports about the title of my blog. I met with Hashimoto last weekend and had a long talk,” Matsunami told reporters Wednesday in Tokyo. “But as I wrote in the text of the blog, after discussing things we’ll move toward a decision and prove there’s no reason for everyone to worry.”

“There is a clear division of roles between myself and the Diet members,” Hashimoto said via his Twitter account. “Even if a discussion turns into a half-hearted fight, a final decision will emerge. Otherwise, all we are is a group of friends who tell each other to remain calm.”

However, Hashimoto admitted that tensions and differences between himself and some of the Diet lawmakers in the party are damaging Nippon Ishin no Kai’s public image.

“The (party’s) bubble is over, and voters, too, need to look at the party calmly. But the game is now afoot,” Hashimoto said.

The party will hold its fourth meeting Saturday in Osaka, its home base, with all members in attendance, including its Diet lawmakers.

Meanwhile, former Yokohama Mayor Hiroshi Nakada and former Suginami Ward Mayor Hiroshi Yamada of Tokyo have also officially announced they will join Nippon Ishin no Kai.

ERIC JOHNSTON, Japan Times Staff writer, October 4, 2012
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121004a8.html

---

 Nippon Ishin no Kai: Local but with national outlook — Osaka-based party has plans to create highly decentralized nation

After months of preparation, Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto’s new political party, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), was formally inaugurated at a mid-September gathering that drew more than 3,000 supporters.

The country’s only national political party based outside of Tokyo aims to field between 350 and 400 candidates in the next general election.

Defended by supporters as a much-needed populist uprising against Tokyo-based policies that have failed the country for decades and blasted by critics as a collection of amateurs pursuing a discredited neoconservative corporate agenda, Nippon Ishin no Kai is likely to play a major role in national politics over the coming months, either directly or through more subtle means.

Who comprises Nippon Ishin no Kai?

Hashimoto is head of the new party and Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui serves as secretary general. As of late September, nine Diet lawmakers had either joined or declared their intent to become members, and another 20 were said to be exploring the possibility.

What are the party’s policies and philosophy?

Nippon Ishin no Kai’s political platform sets out its views and goals in eight key areas: basic governance; finance, administration and political reform; civil service reform; education; social welfare, including pensions, social security and medical insurance; economic, employment and taxes; diplomacy and security; and constitutional revision.

The party’s philosophy stresses the concept of “jiritsu,” which usually translates as “independent,” “self-reliant” or “to stand up for oneself.” The party promises to create a self-reliant state, communities and individuals, and a democracy able to make decisions and take responsibility for its actions.

What are Nippon Ishin no Kai’s specific proposals?

The party’s proposals are designed to realize its ultimate goal of ending the prefectural system and dividing the country into semiautonomous regions with far greater independence from the central government, especially over how to spend their tax revenues and what economic policies to pursue.

In short, it aims to create a highly decentralized nation in which the national government’s powers are greatly curtailed, except for defense, foreign policy and a few other areas.

To accomplish this goal, Nippon Ishin no Kai proposes that the number of Lower House members be halved to 240, that an effort be made to abolish the Upper House, and that the prime minister be directly elected by the people.

In addition, it wants the consumption tax to be turned into a regional levy and to abolish the manner in which local tax revenues are currently distributed by the central government.

Like neoconservatives, libertarians and the tea party movement in the U.S., does Nippon Ishin no Kai see big, centralized government as the problem?

To a certain extent. But much of its platform indicates the party believes a government is best managed like a private concern.

The word “sessatakuma,” which means “to be involved in friendly rivalry,” crops up three times in reference to the system Nippon Ishin no Kai hopes to create among competing regions, undefined social security reforms and an education voucher program that parents could use for their children’s tuition at a private school of their choice.

In addition, the platform calls for strengthening the labor flow between the public and private sectors, and for political appointees from outside civil service to assume high-level positions.

What about its foreign policy?

There are statements in the platform about the need for the entire country to draft a new road map that would reduce Okinawa’s burden from hosting the bulk of the U.S. military bases.

The security alliance with Washington is seen as the cornerstone of efforts to strengthen freedom and democracy, similar to rhetoric one finds in the Liberal Democratic Party, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, as well as the foreign- and defense-related bureaucracies in both countries.

But there is no mention of how Nippon Ishin no Kai would manage relations with China, Japan’s largest trading partner that recently overtook it to become the second-largest economy in the world.

Rather, the platform emphasizes relations with nations Nippon Ishin no Kai believes share common values with Japan, particularly democratic values. The party is paying special attention to South Korea and Australia for this reason, and the platform calls for bolstering relations with both.

What is the party’s stance on issues like the Senkaku Islands dispute?

Its official position is still evolving because of internal divisions over how to respond to the Senkaku flareup, which was sparked by Japan’s nationalization in September of three islets in the group.

Hashimoto does not favor sending Self-Defense Forces personnel to the East China Sea and stationing them on the islets, but other members back a more robust approach.

How does the party see relations with the U.S. evolving?

The short answer is that the party’s official views on specific issues related to the U.S.-Japan security relationship remain unclear.

Asked if he believes it is necessary to revise the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement to give local authorities more power over American military personnel stationed in their backyard, Hashimoto replied by saying that essentially the time is not right to address the issue.

However, Fumiki Sakurauchi, a Diet member and one of the founding members of Nippon Ishin no Kai, has proposed that all foreign troops leave Japan by 2045.

Given the party’s philosophy of self-reliance and Hashimoto’s belief in local autonomy, there are questions as to what extent it might support Washington’s plans to increase its Asia-Pacific presence over the coming years if this means basing more U.S. troops in reluctant Japanese municipalities.

Hashimoto has a reputation for being against nuclear power and in favor of renewable energy. What is the party’s position?

There is a line in the platform about leading advanced industrial countries in creating a system to get out of relying on nuclear power, but nothing that calls for zero nuclear plants by a certain year.

Many of the party’s financial backers fundamentally support nuclear power, and Osaka media, Hashimoto’s political opponents and even some of his supporters claim his antinuclear stance is just a pose to boost his popularity.

Who drew up Nippon Ishin no Kai’s policies?

Two groups played crucial roles. The first consists of members of the Osaka Prefectural and Municipal assemblies who have supported Hashimoto since he created Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) back in 2010. Virtually all of Osaka Ishin no Kai’s membership is comprised of former LDP members aligned with the party’s more conservative elements.

The ideas in Nippon Ishin no Kai’s platform are similar to the defense, foreign, economic and education policies that past LDP prime ministers, such as Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe, supported.

The other group is a loose collection of Kansai Economic Federation-affiliated corporations, small businesses, academics, former bureaucrats and management consultants, some of whom studied U.S. business school methods or worked for U.S. consulting firms.

They are nominally led by former Economic Planning Agency head Taiichi Sakaiya, one of Hashimoto’s most influential advisers and supporters.

How did Hashimoto rise to power so quickly, and can his popularity carry Nippon Ishin no Kai on the national stage?

Contrary to proclamations by some Tokyo-based pundits, Hashimoto’s rapid ascent was not unexpected, at least not in Osaka. Those who have followed him for years agree he came to power because of long-term local and national problems.

Osaka’s economy has stagnated for more than two decades, and the younger generations have been hit especially hard. People who came of age after the collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990s continue to struggle amid high unemployment rates, the end of lifetime employment guarantees and far less job security than what the postwar baby boomers enjoyed.

The local economic difficulties along with the national political paralysis helped create a generation of angry young voters – especially men – who now form the vast majority of Hashimoto supporters.

By capitalizing on that anger and his fame as a TV celebrity, and picking his advisers wisely, Hashimoto won the governor’s seat in early 2008 with approval ratings in excess of 80 percent. His main point was that the root of not only Osaka’s but also the nation’s woes lies in an antiquated Tokyo-centric political, economic, and social system.

His popularity grew further during his time as governor, as he was seen as a strong, decisive leader and also proved extremely savvy in manipulating both traditional and more recent media forms to get his message across.

But two public debates in September with Nippon Ishin no Kai representatives and supporters were heavily criticized by the public and media as lacking substance.

The inexperience of Hashimoto and Matsui in dealing with tough questions about their plans, especially over social security reform, was clearly evident, leading to a rapid drop in support ratings in media polls.

The jury is still out as to whether Nippon Ishin no Kai will become the center of a national federation of like-minded, locally based parties that can seize control of national politics, or end up as just a one-off, regional minority party.

ERIC JOHNSTON, Japan Times Staff writer, October 3, 2012
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121003i1.html

---

 Hashimoto’s party still grappling with developing a policy on U.S. bases

OSAKA – As Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto’s Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) refines its platform in preparation for the next general election, the specific policies it will adopt regarding U.S. military bases in Okinawa remain unclear.

Statements from party leaders on relocating U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko, in the northern part of Okinawa, have created the impression Osaka Prefecture is seriously interested in seeing it moved to Kansai airport.

Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui told a Nippon Ishin no Kai meeting on Sept. 23 that the prefecture was studying such a move but quickly backtracked under intense questioning.

The governor was then contradicted by Hashimoto, who said the agreed-upon Henoko plan was the only one being considered. But that has not stopped speculation, especially since Matsui’s comment was not the first time Hashimoto has had to deny efforts were being made by his party or others in Osaka to move Futenma’s functions to Kansai airport.

After reports in February that Osaka was considering the possibility, the mayor said his party had no specific proposals in mind. But while governor in 2009, Hashimoto suggested Futenma be relocated to Kansai airport to make use of the second runway, which was completed in 2007.

The idea has the quiet support of many in the Kansai business community, and has been informally discussed by Osaka Prefecture since the late 1990s. However, U.S. officials have privately described such a move as unrealistic for logistic reasons.

However, Hashimoto’s support for the Henoko plan, as well as his call for Okinawa to accept the deployment of MV-22 Ospreys over strong local opposition, comes as Nippon Ishin no Kai faces growing criticism over its foreign policy. Despite a reputation as something of a nationalist, Hashimoto surprised and angered his hawkish supporters when he proposed that the Takeshima islets in the Sea of Japan be jointly managed by Japan and South Korea, which administers them under the name Dokdo, and that he does not favor stationing Japanese troops on the Senkaku Islands.

ERIC JOHNSTON, Japan Times Staff writer, October 3, 2012
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121003a4.html

---

 Matsuno to lead Ishin no Kai Diet members

Former Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Yorihisa Matsuno was chosen Wednesday to head the Diet lawmakers in Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) during the first meeting between members from both Diet chambers.

“We’re a completely new party. We’ll do our best to contribute to people’s livelihoods by differentiating ourselves from existing political parties and achieving ’Ishin Hassaku,’” the party’s “eight policies for restoring the country,” Matsuno, a former deputy chief Cabinet secretary, said at a news conference after the meeting.

Although Nippon Ishin no Kai, which was officially launched Sept. 28, is headed by founder Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, Matsuno will lead the party’s Diet members. On Thursday, Matsuno will formally appoint Kenta Matsunami, formerly of the Liberal Democratic Party, as the party’s secretary general, and name Fumiki Sakurai, a former Your Party member, as policy chief.

Asked how closely they must consult with Hashimoto, Matsuno said Diet members will make up their own minds on matters relating to the Diet, such as voting on legislation. However, because they “share the values of Ishin Hassaku” all party members can head in the same direction, he said.

In total, nine lawmakers attended the meeting, including two who were admitted to the party Wednesday: Masato Imai, a former DPJ member first elected in 2009, and Takashi Tanihata, a former vice health minister with the LDP.

The new party is bigger than DPJ coalition partner Kokumin Shinto (People’s New Party), which has only six lawmakers after former party leader Shizuka Kamei and policy chief Akiko Kamei were dismissed in April over their refusal to back the government’s plan to double the 5 percent consumption tax by 2015.

Already the size of other opposition parties, the influence of Nippon Ishin no Kai will grow if other lawmakers sign on. Your Party is down to 13 members after three left to join Nippon Ishin no Kai. The Social Democratic Party has 10 lawmakers , while the Japanese Communist Party has 15.

The LDP has shown greater willingness to cooperate with Nippon Ishin no Kai as its popularity has grown.

NATSUKO FUKUE, Japan Times Staff writer, Oct. 4, 2012
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121004a7.html

---

 Ishin no Kai sets out division of powers — Roles of Diet and local members separated; Hashimoto has final say

OSAKA – Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto and officials from his Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) announced the party’s management structure Saturday night, one they claim clearly separates the roles of Diet and municipal assembly members but still leaves Hashimoto with the final say.

Over the past week, confusion and criticism about how an Osaka-based party headed by the city’s mayor can make an impact on national politics have created Nippon Ishin no Kai’s first major crisis. On Saturday, Hashimoto and his new national party tried to clear the air.

“Diet and local assembly members will not intervene in each other’s affairs. There will be a clear demarcation of roles and boundaries,” Hashimoto said.

A committee consisting of Hashimoto, Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui, who serves as Nippon Ishin no Kai’s secretary general, Yorihisa Matsuno and Kenta Matsunami, who head the party’s group of Diet lawmakers, and representatives chosen among its members in various local assemblies will be in charge of setting policies. The committee will vote on issues deemed the most important.

“What needs to be done at the national level will basically be done at the national level, and what needs to be done at the local level will be done by local authorities. It will be a system of mutual cooperation,” Hashimoto stressed.

“Local assembly members won’t be included in final decisions on national issues, such as diplomacy or the U.S.-Japan security treaty,” he added.

Yet Hashimoto also said he will still have the final call over the most critical issues discussed by the committee’s members.

“My role as party leader will be to make a final decision on how to balance the roles of local assembly and Diet members. But basically, (Lower and Upper house) lawmakers will be responsible for deciding Diet issues,” he said.

How much autonomy the party’s Diet members will have in practice and how potential disagreements with Hashimoto will be resolved remains uncertain, however. For example, Matsuno, who is from Kumamoto Prefecture, is known to oppose Japan’s participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership free-trade initiative, which the party’s policy platform backs.

Due to fears Hashimoto will wield dictatorial powers, media polls show support for Nippon Ishin no Kai outside its Osaka base has been dropping, especially in Tokyo. But in parts of western Japan, interest remains steady. Party members will travel to Kyushu later this month for a series of speeches to drum up support for the party.

Meanwhile, relations between Hashimoto and Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe are warming after weeks of tensions between the two, and speculation is once again growing the two parties may form some kind of tieup either before or after the next general election.

Your Party, whose members hold five Lower House seats and nine in the House of Councilors, shares the same basic socially conservative, neoliberal economic agenda as Nippon Ishin no Kai. Two of the Diet lawmakers who joined Hashimoto’s party defected from Your Party.

ERIC JOHNSTON, Japan Times Staff writer, October 8, 2012
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121008a2.html

---