Noted constitutional scholar to launch anti-Abe party eyeing for Upper House election

Noted constitutional scholar Setsu Kobayashi announced here Monday that he will launch a new political group eyeing for the Upper House election this summer to fight against Abe's ruling coalition.

Kobayashi, 67, is famous constitutional scholar and a professor at Keio University, a leading research university in Japan.

Kobayashi said at a press conference that the reason for setting up such a group is to offer a third choice for voters who are against the Abe administration while disappointed at the existing opposition parties.

The Abe administration forcibly enacted the unconstitutional new security laws which could bring Japan into wars, and also undermined freedom of press through the State Secrecy Law. The Abe administration shall be brought down as soon as possible, said the constitutional scholar.

The new political group, with the name "Kokumin Ikari no Koe" meaning angry voice of the citizens, is set to represent the angry voice of the people and to change Japan's national and social systems, said Kobayashi.

The main agenda of the new political group will include scrapping the new security laws, halting amendment of the Constitution as well as fighting against the Futenma base relocation plan.

The group will recruit 10 candidates by utilizing the Internet for this summer's Upper House election. The campaign funds will also be raised via the Internet. Endit