Japan’s Main Opposition Party Joins CALD as Observer

Japan’s main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), is now an observer party of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD).

In a 30 June letter to CALD, Akiko Kamei, member of Japan’s House of Representatives and director general of CDP’s international bureau, conveyed the party’s acceptance of CALD’s membership invitation on behalf of Yukio Edano, CDP leader.

“The promotion of the basic values of liberal democracy is increasingly important when the freedom in Hong Kong is threatened more than ever,” said MP Kamei.  She also related in her letter the December 2019 visit to Hong Kong to convey CDP’s message to the Carrie Lam administration and the Hong Kong people, and where she also had the opportunity to meet CALD Individual Member, Emily Lau.

Prior to the visit, CDP Leader Edano released a statement dated 21 November 2019 calling for the Hong Kong police and authorities to “immediately cease using excessive power over the citizens.” He also said that “efforts must be made to establish a framework for peaceful dialogue with citizens.” The statement was released at the height of violent clashes between the police and the protesters in a number of Hong Kong universities.

CALD leaders Francis Kiko Pangilinan and Bi-Khim Hsiao welcomed the decision of the CDP to join the Asian liberal and democratic family. “This is the time when liberal democrats have to come together and collectively engage to advance liberal policies and practical solutions that address the most pressing problems of our time, including this pandemic,” they wrote in a letter to Kamei.

“We are confident that together with the CDP, CALD would be able to elevate further the level of discussion among member-parties concerning the most pressing global issues. The CDP’s political experience, together with Japan’s democratic credential, will be valuable to CALD’s continued pursuit of peace and cooperation in the region.”