TOKYO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Japanese opposition parties on Monday criticized Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policies on economy and security in a debate held here ahead of the Dec. 14 general election.
During the debate held in the Japan National Press Club, Abe, President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), in a move to defend his economic policies dubbed "Abenomics," said that it is the only chance for Japan to overcome the prolonged deflation and the only way that could lead to economic recovery is to continue " Abenomics."
Banri Kaieda, head of the country's main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), pointed out that Abenomics only resulted in a fast retreating yen that triggered prices hike and led to an enlarged wealth gap, saying economy restoration will depend on stabilization of employment and the promotion of a child- rearing program.
On security policies, the prime minister said he will push forward the legislation related to exercising right to collective self-defense, adding sending Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to the Gulf region for minesweeping probably falls in with the country's three conditions set by the Cabinet in July to loosen the constitutional limits on the use of force.
Kaieda criticized Abe saying that Abe ignored public wills to pass bills related to the collective defense and the Special Secrecy law. The Social Democratic Party's leader Tadatomo Yoshida also said removing its self-imposed ban on the exercise of the right to collective self-defense violated Japanese postwar' sticking to defense gesture.
Abe's administration in July gave green light to the SDF to exercise right to collective self-defense, an overhaul to Japan's defense posture allowing the SDF to engage fights overseas, but the move goes contrary to Japan's war-renouncing Constitution which banned the SDF to fight outside Japan's territories.
The prime minister further vowed that if his party would win the upcoming vote, he will try to secure more public support to revise the pacifist Constitution as relevant legislations to amend the supreme law have finished.
On history issues, which are a breeding ground of tensions between Japan and its neighboring countries, Abe said the issues should be left to historians, adding his visit to the notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine was out of private emotion.
He also said he will release a statement in the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II.
Abe reiterated during the debate that the LDP's goal is to secure the majority in the lower house, along with its small partner the Komeito Party. And Kaieda admitted that the DPJ is difficult to win alone, but vowed to cooperate with other opposition parties to beat the LDP-Komeito alliance.
Candidates running for the general election will be announced on Tuesday, meaning official campaigning will kicked off the day. A total of 475 seats will be elected through Dec. 14 vote. The country's prime minister nominee will come from the party or bloc that wins the election.
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