LDP Should Consolidate Policies: Think Tank Official

Tokyo, Sept. 10 (Jiji Press)--Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party should take the opportunity of its presidential race beginning Wednesday to consolidate its policies in a united party, Susumu Takahashi, vice chairman of the Japan Research Institute said.

Unless the entire party supports policies to be proposed by the new
head, who is most likely to become the country's prime minister, whoever
wins the party race will not make any differences from former Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe and outgoing Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who both gave up
halfway, Takahashi said in an interview with Jiji Press.
Five LDP lawmakers have filed their candidacies in the LDP
leadership race, but Takahashi said there is no candidate who can be counted
on.
The candidates should find common ground to map out policies rather
than focusing on policy debate, and all LDP heavyweights should then help
the new leader carry out the consolidated policies, he advised.
Regarding policies at issue among LDP members, the LDP needs to
hammer out a party line for public pledges before the next House of
Representatives election, he said.
Takahashi observed the Japanese economy faces troubles both at home
and abroad.
External problems include soaring crude oil prices and the U.S.
subprime mortgage crisis, while the domestic issues are slowing consumption,
deteriorating earnings at small- and medium-sized firms and weakening of
regional economies, he said.
In order to promote consumption, politics should ease anxieties
through social security reforms including pension and medical systems, he
added.
Investments for saving energy and boosting the corporate strength
of small- and medium-sized firms should be promoted, he said, adding that
tax cuts are acceptable if they encourage investment.