Koikeʼs new party seeks to “reset Japanˮ

September 27, 2017

TOKYO- Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said Wednesday Kibo no To (party of hope), a new political party headed by her, will aim to "reset Japan" with bold reforms and politics not constrained by vested interests.

"I'm launching Kibo no To in order to reset Japan," Koike told a press conference to mark her party's establishment. "Now is the time to be bold and carry out politics with no strings attached."

Koike said she will stay on as Tokyo governor and not run in the election for the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, Japan's parliament, to be held in October.

The press conference was also attended by 14 lawmakers who joined the new party, including Masaru Wakasa, a Lower House member close to Koike, and former Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, a defector from the main opposition Democratic Party.

Koike said a political vacuum should never be created at a time when the threats from North Korea's nuclear and missile development are increasing.

But Prime Minister Shinzo Abe chose to dissolve the Lower House for a snap election and this offers a chance to promote reform, she said, expressing her willingness to field candidates across Japan. The first group of official party candidates is expected to be announced later this week.

"The spirit of conservatism forms the basis of reforms," Koike said. "We are a new party driven by the spirit of permissive conservatism."

Regarding a vote to pick the prime minister, which will be held in a special parliamentary session following the Lower House election, Koike said only that she will think about it after the contest is over. Jiji Press