On March 12, the DP Annual Party Convention for 2017 was held at a venue in Tokyo. The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) President Rikio Kozu, Keio University Professor of Economics Eisaku Ide, NPO Kids Door Chairperson Yumiko Watanabe and Ambassador of Ireland Anne Barrington made guest speeches. Following this, President Renho gave an address and Secretary General Noda delivered the party’s action plan proposal, which was then approved by the convention floor.
Following the convention, Renho held a press conference and responded to the reporters’ questions. Renho looked back over the close on six months since she became party leader, stating, “I believe that we have confirmed that we will raise the party standard with energy, social security and tax system reform policies, and in the coming six months, the coming year I would like to communicate this [to the electorate sufficiently.”
When asked about the timetable for formulating a basic law to reduce nuclear power plants to zero, which would make it possible to bring forward the implementation of Japan’s escape from dependence on nuclear power, which she had referred to in her speech at the convention, Renho commented, “We have set ourselves the target of completing it by the time of the next general election, but we need to be ready for action at any moment, considering that we do not know when the next general election will take place, and so I would just like us to proceed with it as quickly as possible.”
When questioned about her impressions of her six months in office as party President, Renho touched on the party’s introduction of counterproposals regarding working styles, renewable energy, tax system reform, and supplementary budget reclassification.
When asked about the possibility of her standing as a candidate at the next general election, Renho, who currently holds a seat in the House of Councillors, said, “When a general election is called, I am resolved to participate in that election as a candidate. There has been no change in my intention.”
