The (, ''Kōmeitō'') or '''NKP''', often translated as "New Komeito Party", is a political party in 's
CDU . The present New Clean Government Party was formed as a result of a merger between the
Clean Government Party (Former) and the
New Peace Party on
November 7 ,
1998 .
The Party's mission is to pioneer "people-centered politics, a politics based on a humanitarianism that treats human life with the utmost respect and care" (New Komeito, 2002). Domestically, the Party proposals include reduction of the central government and bureaucracy, increased transparency in public affairs, and increased local (prefectural) autonomy with the private sector playing an increased role. With regard to Foreign Policy, the Party wishes to eliminate nuclear arms and armed conflict in general. In so doing, the party hopes to bring about the "dawn of a new civilization of mankind" (Ibid).
The New Komeito Party had a predecessor with a similar (though more to the left and very radical) ideology, but the current conservative, more
Moderate , party was formed in 1998, as noted, between a merger of the Clean Government Party and the New Peace Party. It supported the ruling
Liberal Democrats and did well in the 2000 and 2001 Parliamentary elections.
In the 2003 and 2004 Dietary elections, the New Komeito Party did well, thanks to an extremely committed and well -organised voter base in Soka Gakkai. As the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's junior coalition partner, it is becoming a major political force in modern Japan.
Currently, the party is in a majority coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The party shares its support base with the LDP, made up of white collar bureaucrats and rural populations, but also gains support from religious leaders.
However, ,
2005 ,
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi dissolved the
Lower House and called for a general election, scheduled for September 11, due to the rejection of efforts to privatize
Japan Post .
- New Clean Government Party of Japan
The official website of New Komeito. It has a very organized English section with history, policies, and party platforms. It has both an e-mail form and also an e-mail address.
