Ishihara, Kamei, Hiranuma consider setting up new political party

Politics Jan. 28, 2012 - 07:00AM JST ( 13 )

TOKYO —

Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara is being considered for the leadership of a new political party to be set up by Shizuka Kamei, who leads the People’s New Party, the junior coalition partner of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, and Takeo Hiranuma, head of the opposition Sunrise Party.

According to Jiji Press, the three senior conservative politicians met this week and plan to lobby support from disgruntled members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and opposition parties. Jiji reported that the new party may be launched as soon as March.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday afternoon, Ishihara was non-committal. However, he said that national politics need a shakeup and that he is willing to help in any way that he can, NHK reported.

The group is also believed to have contacted Osaka Mayor and Toru Hashimoto Aichi Gov Hideaki Omura.

Hashimoto has already indicated his dissatisfaction with national politics. He said in December that if the central government and major political parties don’t back his plan to unify the dual administrative functions of Osaka — which requires a revision to the Local Autonomy Law — his party may field candidates in the next lower house election.

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13 Comments

0

smithinjapanJan. 28, 2012 - 07:29AM JST

The "Eyes Wide Shut Party"?
0

some14someJan. 28, 2012 - 07:40AM JST

Let's go to heaven !
1

minello7Jan. 28, 2012 - 08:15AM JST

JT can we hold a name that party competition ,sure would bring some laughs,brighten up the day.
0

paulinusaJan. 28, 2012 - 09:09AM JST

Why in the world would you create a new party dissatisfied with politics as usual and pick Ishihara as the leader?
0

wanderlustJan. 28, 2012 - 09:35AM JST

The New New New Party?

Whatever it is called, it will be more of the same old style Japan backroom politics.
0

realmindJan. 28, 2012 - 10:47AM JST

need to make a strong Japan. go ahead....
1

smithinjapanJan. 28, 2012 - 11:02AM JST

When all the old codgers with the same, tired old ideas and ideals (or lack thereof) break off from one group when they don't get their way and form a 'new' group without actually changing their beliefs, practices, and/or attitudes, you just get a bunch of different parties that are identical to each other. This is probably the biggest problem with Japanese politics at present -- and all these lame little parties wait until an election then scramble to for 'coalitions' with the party that wins (or looks guaranteed to win) so they can have a stake in the power. Then they quit and go to the other side when that party looks to lose power or they quit and join the opposition.

Hashimoto, of course, IS a relatively new face and is quite decisive, but he's starting to prove to follow the same old 'my way or I leave' style that plagues this place.
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Michael CraigJan. 28, 2012 - 11:30AM JST

I've got a name for them: "The Old Farts Party"!
1

ScroteJan. 28, 2012 - 11:31AM JST

The "Flag worshiping, corruption" party is an accurate description of these guys.
0

Michael CraigJan. 28, 2012 - 11:32AM JST

No, no,..even better:

"League of Ultraconservative Seniors"!
0

SerranoJan. 28, 2012 - 12:06PM JST

This new party might actually have some measure of success if Osaka mayor Hashimoto supports it.
2

Jared NormanJan. 28, 2012 - 12:39PM JST

A new party for ultra-currupt nationalist, who are too xenophobic to talk to there neighbors
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Michael CraigJan. 31, 2012 - 07:47AM JST

A new party for ultra-currupt nationalist, who are too xenophobic to talk to there neighbors

Hashimoto + Ishihara + others = Taisei Yokusankai 2.0 (Imperial Rule Assistance Association 2.0)!