Tentative Translation
March 27, 2016
The Founding Principles of the Democratic Party
The founding principles of our party are the concepts of “freedom”, “mutualcoexistence” and “responsibility for the future”. We will realize a free society, basedon just, fair and transparent rules, that respects human rights as well as variety of values
and lifestyles, a society built on mutual coexistence where no one is neglected, a society
where people can support each other, and a society that fulfills its responsibility tofuture generations.
What We Stand For
We are the party representing ordinary people, taxpayers, consumers and workers. At
the same time, we are the party of reform, walking forward with the people, fulfilling
our responsibility for the future and for the future generations, and struggling against
vested interests and collusion.
What We Aim To Achieve
1. Remaining True to Constitutionalism Based on Freedom and Democracy
We will uphold the principles of popular sovereignty, respect for fundamental humanrights and pacifism set forth in the Constitution of Japan, and resolutely hold fast to a
constitutionalism based on freedom and democracy. We will work together with thepeople to conceive our vision of a future-orientated constitution under the auspices ofthe symbolic emperor system, a constitution that responds to the needs of the changing
times, such as new human rights and reforms of the system of government.
2. Constructing a Society Built on Mutual Coexistence
We will build a strong and flexible society based on mutual coexistence, one in which
every person is respected as a unique individual, a society in which people support eachother while embracing diversity, and in which everyone has a place and a role to play.
We will promote gender equality to enable men and women to realize their full1individuality and potential.
We will realize a society that respects the autonomy of citizens who are the driving
force of the so-called “New Public Commons”, where local governments, schools,nonprofit organizations (NPOs), local communities, and individuals work together infull partnership.
We will uphold the principles of justice and fairness, and respect individual
independence while at the same time focusing on the disadvantaged.
3. Taking Responsibility for the Future by Ensuring that Reforms are Not
DelayedFor the sake of future generations, we will eliminate the wasteful spending of taxes, andcarry out administrative and fiscal reforms that will change Japan’s dependence on debt,
political reforms such as those requiring politicians to make sacrifices, and regionalsovereignty reforms that will make it possible to achieve autonomy through regional
creativity.
We will fulfill our responsibility to the future by aiming for a society that is notdependent upon nuclear power generation, and by achieving full recovery from theGreat East Japan Earthquake.
4. Realizing Sustainable Economic Growth Through Investment in People
We will realize economic growth based on market economics and in harmony with theglobal environment. Making security and safety our watchword, we will encourage
new entrants into the market and implement regulatory reforms to foster
entrepreneurism.
Economic growth must create happiness. Sustainable growth cannot be achieved
without investment in people through the fair division of wealth. We will rectify
disparities that prevent people from using their abilities to their full extent by building asustainable social security system and by investing in people, for example, byguaranteeing opportunities for lifelong learning. In this way we will promote people’sability to support each other and realize economic growth that aims to create happiness.

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5. Protecting Japan and Contributing to the Peace and Prosperity of theInternational Community
We will adopt realistic diplomacy and security policies based on exclusively
defense-oriented principles. We will confront the security issues squarely surrounding
Japan, and protect the lives and property of the people, Japan’s land, sea and airspace bysteadily developing our nation’s defense capabilities. We will strengthen Japan-U.S.
Alliance, and realize mutual coexistence with the Asia-Pacific region.
We will contribute to the peace and prosperity of the international community throughmultilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, realizing enlightened national
interest and widespread human security by engaging in such activities as the abolition ofnuclear weapons, the provision of humanitarian relief, and the formation of economic
partnerships.

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