The New Conservative Party says the core policy issues in the Nov. 9 general election are boosting national security, revising the Constitution and reviving the economy, but its own tallest order will be getting its few members voted in.
The smallest component of the ruling coalition it forms with the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, the NCP will face a tough battle given its failure to get official LDP support for three of the 11 candidates it plans to field in single-seat constituencies.
"We will just have to fight our own race against LDP candidates in some districts," party leader Hiroshi Kumagai said in an interview with The Japan Times. "But we want to appeal to voters with our grand policy design."