The ruling and opposition parties have differing views on economic policy but agree on the need for political reform as the lower house election campaign period begins. The main issues in the election include the economy, political reform, and diplomacy and security policy. The parties have different policies on tax cuts, political reforms, and strengthening Japan’s defenses.
Both the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito have pledged to protect low-income households from rising prices by providing benefits and addressing electricity and gas bills. The LDP aims for an economy that grows through measures like capital investment. Opposition parties promise significant tax cuts, with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan proposing a refundable tax credit system for low- to middle-income earners.
Political reform is a shared goal among both ruling and opposition parties, although they differ in their specific plans. The CDPJ, JIP, Komeito, and DPFP all call for abolishing political activity funds given to Diet members by political parties. The LDP aims to ensure transparency for these funds while establishing a third-party auditing organization with future plans of abolishing them.
Regarding foreign relations and security policies, all major parties pledge to maintain the U.S.-Japan alliance except for the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), which opposes strengthening it. The LDP does not explicitly mention an “Asian version of NATO” but focuses on promoting bilateral defense cooperation while ensuring regional security.
economic policy differences revolve around measures to combat rising prices while political reform focuses on transparency in fund usage. Foreign relations largely center around maintaining alliances with varying degrees of support for defense strengthening among major parties.