April 6, 2010
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The main opposition Liberal Democratic Party has decided to launch a new committee modeled on Britain's shadow cabinet in a bid to unite the party shaken by the departure of some senior members.
The committee called "Next Japan" will be set up due to calls from younger LDP members for such an intraparty organization to plan policies for when it regains power.
The LDP intends to appoint younger personnel to an election task force which is expected to launch as early as Tuesday.LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki said that the party wants to show that it has young and capable members.
The party also plans to appoint former senior vice justice minister Taro Kono as acting secretary general, succeeding Hiroyuki Sonoda who left the party on Monday.
Sonoda joined former finance minister Kaoru Yosano who also quit the LDP on Monday, former economy minister Takeo Hiranuma and former transport minister Takao Fujii, to form a new political party.
The 4 senior politicians and Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, who is supporting the LDP defectors, met on Monday to set a date to launch the new party. Sources close to the politicians indicate that it is likely to be Saturday.
They also agreed on basic policies, including those to revise Japan's Constitution and the raise consumption tax to make up for growing social security spending.
2010/04/06 09:01(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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