Our History and Birth of "NEW KOMEITO"
Komei and the New Peace Party joined hands and formed "New Komeito" at its inaugural national convention held at Zenrosai Hall in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, on November 7, 1998. The event marked a return to the old party name about four years after the former Komeito disbanded. Members of the former Komeito, centering on those occupying seats in local assemblies and the House of Councilors, inaugurated "Komei" on December 5, 1994. The following is a summary of the main events in our party's history that led to the latest development.
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Former Komeito's History Spanning 30 Years
The former Komeito was established on November 17, 1964, as a successor to the Komei Political League (formed in November 1961). The party occupied 14 seats in the House of Councilors and about 1,200 seats in local assemblies, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, at the time of its inauguration. In 1967, the former Komeito sent members to the House of Representatives for the first time. Candidates on the former Komeito's ticket won 25 seats in the Lower House election that year. With the Lower House victory as a turning point, former Komeito members began to advance into national and local assemblies. The party grew into a major force to be reckoned with in the late 1970s. The number of former Komeito members holding Diet and local assembly seats consistently exceeded 3,000. The party consolidated its position in Japanese politics, and played a major role in Japan's political advancement as the third most force after the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Socialist Party.
Fought on hand-in-hand with the public as the "party for ordinary people"
The former Komeito fought hand-in-hand with the public as the "party for ordinary people" that originated at the grass-roots level. It was this party that illuminated the plight of politically neglected, weaker members of our society. The former Komeito met the public's demands in rapid succession by gathering opinions through regional guidance clinics and devoting all its energy to action. The party stood firm against sneers and criticism from established parties that "only amateur parties advocate welfare" and "welfare is not politics." Japanese politics had remained within the framework of the so-called "1955 Regime" for a long time. Under this system, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDPJ), the largest opposition party, repeatedly engaged in fruitless confrontation. In this environment, the former Komeito pioneered a new political approach based on consensus and people, rather than confrontation and ideology.
The Diet "resolution concerning non-nuclear arms and scaling-down of U.S. military bases on Okinawa" was a product of this approach. It put our national policy of three nuclear-free principles on a statutory basis. The former Komeito also grappled squarely with the issue of proper diplomatic actions and insisted that Japan should adopt global peace, rather than peace limited to its own territory, as its goal. Based on lessons it learned from the Gulf Crisis and the Gulf War, the party insisted that the LDP government state Japan's policy against the use of force and five vital PKO principles in the PKO cooperation bill which was passed by the Diet in June 1992. Japan and China issued a historic joint communique and normalized their diplomatic relations in September 1972. This rapprochement became a turning point in post-World War II Japanese history. The former Komeito played a vital part, serving as a crucial "bridge" between the two governments.
Helped opposition forces to end LDP's exclusive control over the government
The former Komeito also made consistent efforts to end the LDP's long-standing monopoly on central government. Opposition parties won a landslide victory in the general election held in July 1993. The LDP failed to win a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. The former Komeito joined forces with the Social Democratic Party of Japan, Japan Renewal Party, Japan New Party, Japan Democratic Socialist Party (JDSP), New Party Sakigake, United Social Democratic Party, and Democratic Reform Party later that month, and became a part of the coalition that established the first LDP-free administration in Japan in 38 years. The inauguration of the LDP-free administration by the eight cooperating parties became the biggest political event in Japan's post World War II history, and was said by some to herald the "dawn of Japanese politics."
Four former Komeito members, including chairman Koshiro Ishida, were appointed as ministers in the coalition government led by Morihiro Hosokawa. The former Komeito realized political reforms, a process that had been delayed for as long as six years, and shaped trends toward "reforms" in many political arenas as a part of the 11-month government under the Hosokawa administration and the succeeding administration headed by Tsutomu Hata. Unfortunately, the eight-party anti-LDP coalition lost control over the government to a new three-way coalition formed by the LDP, SDPJ, and New Party Sakigake in a political coup in late 1994. The new coalition without principles set up a LDP-centered government led by Tomiichi Murayama.
Birth of New Frontier Party
Inauguration of "Komei" and formation of New Frontier Party [NFP]
On December 10, 1994, the New Frontier Party was established to meet public demand expectations by returning to politics based on "reforms." The new party held up "ceaseless reforms and the realization of responsible politics" as its ideals. The former Komeito held its last national convention on December 5, 1994, and decided to end its 30-year-long history. Former Komeito members inaugurated "Komei" and the "Komei New Party" on the same day. The former party comprised mainly local assembly people, but also included some of the Upper House members. The latter party consisted mostly of Diet members. The "Komei New Party" formed the aforementioned "New Frontier Party (NFP)" jointly with the Japan Renewal Party and Japan Democratic Socialist Party. Meanwhile, "Komei" forged and maintained friendly relations with the NFP based on the principle of mutual respect for each other's independence.
NFP dissolution
Many people considered the birth of Shinshinto to mark the beginning of the two-party era and held great expectations regarding the party. The year after its establishment, the NFP won 12,506,322 votes in the proportional representation district in the 17th House of Councilors election held in July 1995. In the same district, the LDP captured only 11,096,972 votes. The party played a major role in the effort to change Japanese politics by drafting concrete plans for drastic reforms and taking other actions. Prime Minister Murayama stepped down in favor of Ryutaro Hashimoto in January 1996. Contradictions inherent in the three-way coalition without principles became increasingly conspicuous around this time. However, the NFP failed to capitalize on this opportunity. The opposition party failed to achieve a majority in the 41st House of Representatives election held on October 20, 1996. This failure caused a growing number of Dietmen, particularly former LDP members with a strong desire to gain political power, to leave the party. In the end, such major figures as former Prime Ministers Hosokawa and Hata broke away. The number of Diet members who abandoned the NFP reached 40. These members accounted for 20 percent of the party lineup at the time of its launch. Many people began to expect little from the NFP due to this development. Discontent over administration issues, interpersonal relationships, and contradictions accumulated within the NFP, culminating in the sudden disbandment of the party on December 27, 1997.
Birth of New Komeito
Most former Komeito members responded to the NFP dissolution in two ways. Eighteen Upper House members established the "Reimei Club" on condition that they would eventually join Komei. In the meantime, the majority of Lower House members left unaffiliated by the dissolution of the NFP formed the "New Peace Party." The "Reimei Club" merged with Komei three weeks later. Komei was already demonstrating its worth and presence in national and local politics. Upper House members and local assembly members were joining forces in order to further Komei's development. Meanwhile, the "New Peace Party" and the "Reformers Network Party" formed a coalition restricted to the Lower House called "Peace and Reform." This coalition has taken the initiative in such key matters as deliberations on draft budgets and financial problems as the third main force in the Lower House.
Komei and the New Peace Party continued to work in close cooperation. They both inherited Komeito's founding spirit and traditions. In other words, both Komei and the New Peace Party acted as "parties for ordinary people." In the 18th House of Councilors election held this July, the two parties joined forces in four electoral districts and won all contested seats there. They also cooperated in the proportional representation district and gained a record total of 7,750,000 votes, enough to send seven representatives to the House of Councilors. In addition, Komei and the New Peace Party tackled the challenge of Diet maneuvering hand-in-hand. The two parties worked together to realize tax reimbursement, in the form of gift certificates worth 700 billion yen, for children under 15 and handicapped persons over 65 who have low income. This was one of Komei's campaign pledges in the latest House of Councilors election.
The Social Democratic Party left the coalition immediately before the Upper House election. The LDP suffered a big loss in that election. The number of opposition members needed by the LDP to achieve a majority in the house rose from eight to 22. In this new environment, members of the two parties cast deciding votes in the Upper House. Consequently, these two parties became crucial players in Japanese politics, and a merger of the two parties became an increasingly popular topic of discussion among their members. The low popularity of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, the successor to Hashimoto (who resigned to take responsibility for the LDP defeat in the Upper House election), prompted renewed efforts toward such a merger. Leaders of Komei and the New Peace Party met on July 15, immediately after the Upper House election, to discuss a merger of the two parties. They agreed to start internal discussions in mid August. Members of Komei and the New Peace Party began discussing the possibility within their respective organizations as scheduled. Members of the New Peace Party officially decided in favor of the merger at their general meeting on October 2. Komei members did the same at the 6th expansion meeting of Komei's central committee on October 3. Following the decisions, Komei and the New Peace Party set up a committee to prepare for their merger. The committee decided to disband the New Peace Party, maintain Komei and rename it "New Komeito." The New Peace Party dissolved itself on the morning of November 7. New Komeito was officially launched when former New Peace Party members joined Komei members at the new party's inaugural national convention held on the afternoon of the same day.
New Komeito's Coalition Government Participation: A Timeline
Implementing a political platform based on maximizing parliamentary consensus since its inauguration, New Komeito actively works with both ruling and opposition parties to propose, amend and pass key legislation, from bills mandating administrative reforms to measures to protect the environment from chemical contamination.
On July 7, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, who also served as the president of the LDP, contacts Mr. Kanzaki and proposes that New Komeito join the Obuchi Cabinet as an official member of the Coalition Government, the third partner in an existing alliance between the LDP and Liberal Party. New Komeito holds top-level discussions within the party to consider Mr. Obuchi's request, with the leadership accepting the proposal's premise.
It was LDP that requested New Komeito's participation. The request was made on July 7, 1999, by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi during a meeting with New Komeito's representative Mr. Takenori Kanzaki.
There are three main reasons for New Komeito's acceptance of this request. First, the LDP's landslide defeat in the 1998 Upper House election send a clear message that the electorate is demanding a coalition government. Additionally, last summer's Upper House election resulted in the loss of 22 LDP seats. Second, during the recent parliamentary sessions, it became obvious that the various opposition parties were too preoccupied with stressing the differences between their policies. The nation became deadlocked during one of its most trying times. And third, New Komeito believes that the problems facing Japan-the crumbling economy, the disintegrating education system, etc.-are too urgent for all of us to be wasting time discussing party politics.
Participating Obuchi Administration
As Rep. Kanzaki said during the July 24, 1999 convention. "The state of affairs can no longer be managed by the weakened LDP alone. The real question is not whether our basic stance should be pro-LDP or anti-LDP, but rather, it is what are our political institutions for if not for the good of the nation." Past anti-LDP stances by Komeito were largely based on opposition to corrupt LDP governments.
BOn July 26, Mr. Kanzaki and Prime Minister Obuchi confer together in a New Komeito-LDP summit, expressing New Komeito's interim decision to participate in the Obuchi Cabinet and the coalition government. Party enters into talks to finalize a three-party alliance.
On July 27, Mr. Kanzaki reports on the political developments that have unfolded at the party's 2nd Extraordinary National Convention, declaring that a new era of consensus-based coalition politics has dawned in Japan. He explains the party's position that Japanese politics faces a dire need for visionary, people-centered political leadership that only New Komeito can provide as a full-fledged partner of the Obuchi administration.
On October 4, the party leaders of the tripartite alliance sign an agreement to enter into a formal coalition.
On October 5, the coalition Cabinet comprised of ministers from the LDP, Liberal Party and New Komeito is officially inaugurated. New Komeito's Kunihiro Tsuzuki is chosen Director General of Administrative Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office.
Participating in successive cabinets of Obuchi Administration
On April 2, Prime Minister Obuchi falls into an apoplexic coma.
On April 4, the Obuchi cabinet resigns en masse in preparation to form a new administration led by Yoshiro Mori of the LDP.
On April 5, the Mori administration is officially inaugurated. The Liberal Party secedes from the coalition, but is itself seceded by a splinter group, renamed the New Conservative Party, that rejoins the ruling alliance. All existing policy and administrative agreements between the three parties endorsed under the Obuchi administration carried over and upheld by the new administration. New Komeito's Chikara Sakaguchi appointed as Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare.
On April 25, Prime Minister Mori, spurred by public disenchantment and political opposition, steps down. Following the dissolution of his Cabinet, the LDP's Junichiro Koizumi is voted prime minister in a plenary session of both Houses of the Japanese Diet that evening. Mr. Sakaguchi of New Komeito remains Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Participating in its third successive cabinet, New Komeito and its two partners agree to add nine articles to the original coalition agreements in order to emphasize the new administration's commitment to structural reform and economic recovery. Mr. Kanzaki praises the new prime minister for his willingness to entertain bold measures to achieve major reforms. But the New Komeito chief also made it clear that his party was at odds with Mr. Koizumi over such issues as the Yasukuni shrine visit and LDP bid to amend the Japanese constitution, especially the war-renouncing Article Nine. He urges that discussion on any constitutional amendment be open and extensive.
