When the ruling Liberal Democratic Party negotiated and forged a new coalition with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party (JIP) last month, foreign media were quick to pull out labels in an attempt to introduce the then-opposition party to global readers. One news agency labeled the reformist party as “right-leaning,” without explaining any of their platforms, which The Japan Times also published.
It is an inaccurate label. While the JIP calls for a more muscular military posture to defend against China — as do many other parties, including the LDP — the party also promises free high school education, universal basic income and protection of LGBTQ+ rights. Those policies are rather liberal, or even arguably progressive, in a Western context.
Confusing? Indeed.
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