Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)
Japanese political party / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Liberal Democratic Party (自由民主党, Jiyū-Minshutō), frequently abbreviated to LDP or Jimintō (自民党), is a conservative[20] political party in Japan.
Liberal Democratic Party 自由民主党 Jiyū-Minshutō | |
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President | Fumio Kishida |
Vice President | Tarō Asō |
Secretary-General | Toshimitsu Motegi |
Councilors Leader | Masakazu Sekiguchi |
Founders | |
Founded | 15 November 1955 |
Preceded by | |
Headquarters | 11–23, Nagatachō 1-chome, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-8910, Japan |
Newspaper | Jiyū Minshu[1] |
Think tank | Policy Research Council |
Membership (2021) | ![]() |
Ideology | |
Political position | Right-wing[A][4] |
Colors | |
Slogan | "日本を守る責任"[6][failed verification] "Nihon wo mamoru sekinin" ("The responsibility to protect Japan") |
Anthem | "われら"[7] "Ware-ra" ("We") |
Councillors | 118 / 245 |
Representatives | 260 / 465 |
Prefectural assembly members[8] | 1,283 / 2,598 |
City, special ward, town and village assembly members[8] | 2,179 / 29,425 |
Election symbol | |
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Website | |
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^ A: The Liberal Democratic Party is a big-tent conservative party.[9][10] The LDP has been also described as centre-right,[lower-alpha 3][17] but the LDP also has far-right[lower-alpha 4][18] and ultra-conservative[19] factions, including members belonging to the ultranationalist Nippon Kaigi (see List of members of Nippon Kaigi). |
The LDP has been in power almost continuously since its foundation in 1955—a period called the 1955 System—except between 1993 and 1994, and again from 2009 to 2012. In the 2012 election, it regained control of the government.[21] After the 2021 and 2022 elections it holds 261 seats in the House of Representatives and 119 seats in the House of Councillors, and in coalition with Komeito since 1999, a governing majority in both houses.
The LDP is often described as a big tent conservative party, with several different ideological factions.[22] While lacking a cohesive political ideology, the party's platform has historically supported neoliberal economic policies, increased defense spending and maintaining close ties with the United States.[23][24] The party's history and internal composition have been characterized by intense factionalism ever since its emergence in 1955, with its parliamentary members currently split among six factions, each of which vies for influence in the party and the government.[25] The incumbent Prime Minister and party President is Fumio Kishida, the leader of the party's moderate Kōchikai faction.