Riding high in opinion polls ahead of next month’s general election, Japan’s opposition Democratic party on Monday launched a campaign manifesto promising dramatic administrative reform and generous social spending.
The DPJ, which appears likely to win a historic victory over the long-ruling Liberal Democratic party on August 30, said that in government it would pay parents a Y312,000 ($3,273) a year child allowance; revamp and increase pensions; scrap school fees and road tolls; cut taxes on small companies; and increase regional autonomy.
