1. This election of House of councilors was a very important political occasion in order to over come serious recession never experienced by Japanese economy, the recession that was caused by the wrong policy of the Prime Minister Hashimoto of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and to put the future of Japan in the right direction by preventing the LDP's majority in the House of Councilors, thus creating a possibility to replace the present Government at the next election of House of Representatives.
2. Rengo recognized that the new "Democratic Party" which was created under the principle of Moderate-Democrat is a new political party around which different political forces would be regrouped to take-over the Government from LDP, and decided to give full support to Democrats in the national proportional constituency, and to seek an candidate of united political forces in district constituency as much as possible.
3. This election was a historical one since the split between Socialist Party and Democratic Socialist Party in the past, in the sense that joint election campaign of these two currents was realized to certain extent for the first time. Under the close cooperation with departmental organizations, Rengo asked different political parties to cooperate in order to create a new political force which would be able to rival with LDP, and went into the election with its 38 candidates in 33 prefecture constituencies and 10 candidates in national proportional constituency.
4. One preoccupation of Rengo was decreasing rate of participation to election, reflecting indifference of Japanese people to politics. Rengo organized strong "Go to election" campaign not only for Rengo members but also for general public, in order to increase the participation rate with the slogan of "Every day is voting day" to encourage absentees voting.
5. After the start of election campaign, many leaders of different origin and mass media joined to this camping for voting, and with the increasing sense of crisis and fear felt by Japanese people about future of Japan, the rate of participation was 15 points higher than prevision (actual rate was 58%). We welcome that the parliamentary democracy has been revived to certain extent, yet we must keep in mind that about 40% of voters did not go to voting.
6. The result of the election expressed an anger of voters against the government of Mr.Hashimoto and LDP. It was a historic defeat for LDP, which was symbolized by disappearance of LDP's seats in big urbane area. The Japanese people manifested, in fact, its refusal of present Government of Mr.Hashimoto, clearly said "NO" to LDP, and demanded the change of the Government.
7. The Democratic Party, which Rengo gave full support, achieved big advance, and established its position as a political force for alternative government. Among the candidates officially supported by Rengo, 23 of prefecture constituencies and 7 of national proportional constituency are elected, although Rengo regrets that not all of its candidates were elected.
8. Rengo's object in this election was to prevent a majority of the LDP in the House of Councilors, and its another object was to establish alternative political force, these objectives were achieved by the great advance of the Democratic Party.
   As to the framework of new alternative government, Rengo will keep close eye on the move of different parties, with a view to realize a victory in the next election of the House of Representatives. Rengo will continue to assume a role as a supporter for strengthening alternative political forces.
   As to its relation of support and cooperation with political parties, Rengo will review it and responds to future political situation, with a view to achieve Rengo's policy.
9. Although the election is finished with success, the critical economic situation and fear for unemployment continue. Rengo wishes strongly that all the political parties would sincerely recognize the will of the people, and work for a solution of the present difficult situation.
   On its part, Rengo will make continuous efforts to achieve its policy, which is based on the interest of working people and, at the same time, of consumers.
10. Lastly, Rengo express its sincere appreciation to its 8 million members and their families, its affiliates, and prefecture organizations who participated with courage to activities of Rengo, and also to all the voters and people who responded very positively to the appeal of Rengo that "if many take action, the politics would change".

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