On March 27, a convention to launch the new Democratic Party was held at a Tokyo venue.  

At the start of the convention a Declaration on the Founding of the Democratic Party was read out, and the convention chairs declared the convention open.  Following this, former Japan Innovation Party President, member of the House of Representatives Yorihisa Matsuno, explained the background leading to the formation of the new party, and proposals for the new party platform, party regulations and appointment of a new party president were submitted and approved unanimously.

Following this, former Democratic Party of Japan President Katsuya Okada, who had been appointed President of the new party, expressed his determination regarding the founding of the party, stating: “Today is an historic occasion.  With the three concepts of ‘freedom’, ‘mutual coexistence’ and ‘responsibility for the future’ as our founding principles, we are resolved to get the Democratic Party off to a good start.”  

Okada went on to comment on the current political situation, stressing the importance of stopping the out-of-control behavior of the Abe administration.  He stated: “Under the Abe administration, basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution, such as freedom of speech and the right to know, have been threatened, and pacifism, one of the fundamental principles of the Constitution, is being ignored.  We have reached a situation in which inequalities have widened, and the Japanese people, in particular our children and our young people, have lost their hope for the future.”

Okada continued by expressing regret for the missed opportunities during the DPJ’s time as the party of government.  He finished his speech by emphasizing that in order to realize a Japanese politics where changes of government are possible, the Democratic Party must recognize that this is their last chance, unite as a party, win the forthcoming national elections and work together with the people to create a magnificent Japan.  

In his post-convention press conference Okada expressed his resolution upon founding the new party, stating, “My political motivation is to create a party that is capable of acting as a viable alternative to the LDP as a party of government.  In order to move towards this big purpose, I have decided that we need to sink our differences for the sake of a common goal.”

Asked what the Democratic Party would aim to achieve if they became the party of government, Okada said “We will draft our policies based on the three concepts of ‘freedom’, ‘mutual coexistence’ and ‘responsibility for the future’ clearly set forth in both the Declaration and the Party Platform.  We will thoroughly support the pacifism of the Constitution, which is currently under threat.  Economic growth is important, but deciding how to distribute the fruits of such growth is even more important.  We will expand the middle class, some of whose members have fallen into poverty, and raise the living standards of those suffering in poverty.  We will emphasize the correction of inequalities and the redistribution of wealth.  We believe that it is only once redistribution has been carried out that we can realize sustainable economic growth.