On August 8, DP President Katsuya Okada released the following statement.
- Today His Majesty the Emperor expressed his words in the video. We have been deeply impressed by the way in which His Majesty has devoted himself fully to performing his role as a symbol of the State, as stipulated in the Constitution of Japan.
- We consider it necessary to respond thoroughly to what His Majesty expressed. As a first step, we request that the Government engages in comprehensive discussions in response to what His Majesty expressed today.
- At the same time, it is necessary for the Diet, the highest
organ of State power, to also proceed calmly with discussions and
fulfil its responsibilities as a legislative body. Considerations
on the specific method by which to proceed should be led by the
speakers of both houses of the Diet. The Democratic Party will also
establish an internal forum for discussion and respond
appropriately to discussions in the Diet.