Japan's Koike says her party offers centrist choice to voters
Yuriko Koike
“If I use a golf course metaphor  right now  I believe we have right (wing parties) and left (wing parties) and nothing in between. So we will present ourselves as the fairway  the very centre of the way ”  Koike  told a policy debate by major party leaders.
The outlook for the election is unclear but some analysts say  Koike ’s party may be losing steam because it had too little time to prepare for the snap poll. Her decision not to run for a lower house seat herself could also deter voters  they said.
 Koike  said  her  party’s policies aim to bring a new idea such as basic income and will be closer to consumers.
“The idea of basic income is still experimental but we think this is something we should consider in the future ”  she  said.
But  Koike  declined to reveal who would lead a government should  her  party  formed only about two weeks ago by  her  supporters and some opposition lawmakers  be in a position to form one.
“If I use a golf course metaphor  right now  I believe we have right (wing parties) and left (wing parties) and nothing in between. So we will present ourselves as the fairway  the very centre of the way ”  Koike  told a policy debate by major party leaders.
The outlook for the election is unclear but some analysts say  Koike ’s party may be losing steam because it had too little time to prepare for the snap poll. Her decision not to run for a lower house seat herself could also deter voters  they said.
 Koike  said  her  party’s policies aim to bring a new idea such as basic income and will be closer to consumers.
“The idea of basic income is still experimental but we think this is something we should consider in the future ”  she  said.
But  Koike  declined to reveal who would lead a government should  her  party  formed only about two weeks ago by  her  supporters and some opposition lawmakers  be in a position to form one.