Each political party adheres to its own basic belief and policy. But since the fundamental principle of democracy calls for all parties to represent the Japanese people collectively, they accept one another and work around their differences through reasoned discourse.
A contentious plan to build Japan’s first casino in the city of Osaka is finally moving forward even though many questions remain unanswered. Will the project really help revitalize the local economy? Will it trigger an increase in cases of gambling addiction? The plan should not be pushed through while these key questions linger.
Nippon Ishin (Japan Renovation Party), the dominant force in Osaka’s political scene, held two municipal referendums on its signature initiative to turn the Osaka area into a bustling metropolis like Tokyo. Both the Osaka governor and Osaka mayor are members of the party, which holds a majority in the prefectural assembly through its local arm. It held a second referendum on the proposal after it was rejected in the first vote.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party won the July 10 Upper House election by a landslide, capturing 63 of the 125 contested seats and single-handedly securing a majority.