That is why we have taken the name of Liberal Party. To return to the starting point means to start out anew. We want to feel the living, palpitating spirit of the birthpangs of modern Japan, to experience anew the freshness and energy of the youngsters of those days, and thereby realize all the rich possibilities of party politics. Recently people talk of the decline of political parties. But what concerns me even more is that these phenomena are simplistically linked to the so-called decline of political parties.
Political parties are the institutionalization of public opinion.
As this statement trenchantly shows, only political parties give the people the opportunity to function in an organized political way. I am firmly convinced that to participate in politics through political parties is the very essence of modern democracy. And, at a time when financial collapses and other crises put the very fate of our country in doubt, politics needs to be able to respond appropriately to any situation. Thus, it is essential to have a political party formed by people who share common concepts and policies, as well as strong leadership fully supported by the members of the party. Today, confronted by the crisis of a sinking Japan, a political leader needs above all to have clear self-realization and responsibility so that he can act decisively.