Democratic Party (Japan)
Democratic Party[1] 民進党 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President | Katsuya Okada |
| Secretary-General | Yukio Edano |
| Founded | 27 March 2016 |
| Merger of |
Democratic Party of Japan Innovation Party Vision of Reform |
| Headquarters | Nagatachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan |
| Political position | Centre |
| International affiliation | None |
| Colors | Blue |
| Councillors |
60 / 242 |
| Representatives |
96 / 475 |
| Website | |
| minshin.jp | |
The Democratic Party (民進党 Minshintō),[1] abbreviated to DP, is a political party in Japan. The party was founded on 27 March 2016 from the merger of the Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Innovation Party.[2]
History
To compete with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the upcoming Upper House elections, on 24 February 2016 the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and Japan Innovation Party (JIP) announced that they were to merge at a special convention on 27 March to form a new opposition party.[3][4][5][6] On 4 March 2016, the DPJ and JIP asked the public for suggestions for a name for the new merged party.[7] On 14 March 2016, the name of the new party was announced as Minshintō (Democratic Progressive Party), the most popular shortlisted name among polled voters and preferred by the JIP, beating Rikken Minshutō (Constitutional Democratic Party) as preferred by the DPJ.[8] On 18 March 2016, the official English language title of the new party was announced as the Democratic Party.[9] On 22 March, the DPJ announced that 4 sitting Representatives from Vision of Reform would join the party at its launch.[10]
The new party was founded on 27 March 2016 with the leadership consisting of Katsuya Okada as party president, Yukio Edano as secretary-general and Shiori Yamao as policy chief.[11] The party platform committed to protecting the existing pacifist Japanese constitution, and stating opposition to the 'Abenomics' policies of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.[12][13][14]
Etymology
The party's Japanese name Minshintō combines "min" from minshu ("democratic") and shin (進, "advance, progress"), not shin (新, "new") from ishin (innovation). The name is identical to the abbreviated name of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, which is written in full as "民主進步黨" and abbreviated to "民進黨".[8]
Presidents of the Democratic Party
| No. | Name | Term of office | Image | Election results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | ||||
| 1 | Katsuya Okada 岡田 克也 Okada Katsuya |
27 March 2016 | incumbent |  |
|
References
- 1 2 民進英語名、略称ＤＰに Yomiuri Shimbun
- ↑ http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/New-opposition-party-launched-with-merger-of-DPJ-smaller-party
- ↑ "New main opposition party to be named 'Minshinto'". The Mainichi. Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ↑ Osaki, Tomohiro; Yoshida, Reiji (24 February 2016). "DPJ endorses merger with Ishin no To; new party to form next month". The Japan Times. Japan: The Japan Times Ltd. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ↑ "DPJ, Japan Innovation Party to merge ahead of Upper House election". Asia & Japan Watch. Japan: The Asahi Shimbun Company. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ↑ "DPJ, Ishin to merge March 27 at special convention". The Japan Times. Japan: The Japan Times Ltd. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ↑ "DPJ, Ishin no To invite entries for new party name". The Japan Times. Japan: The Japan Times Ltd. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- 1 2 "Introducing Minshin To, Japan's new main opposition force". The Japan Times. Japan: The Japan Times Ltd. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ↑ http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/18/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-gets-democratic-party/
- ↑ https://www.dpj.or.jp/english/news/?num=21026
- ↑ http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/27/national/politics-diplomacy/democratic-party-launches-vow-halt-ruling-coalition/#.Vvp5O_1F1Fx
- ↑ http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201603280036.html
- ↑ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-03/27/c_135227248.htm
- ↑ Introducing Minshin To, Japan’s new main opposition force
External links
- Democratic Party official website (Japanese)
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