Several Senior Figures Lose Out, the Centrist Reform Alliance Completes Generational Transition

On February 13th, the Centrist Reform Alliance selected Kumagai Atsuya as its new leader, and it is expected that the new system will be launched on Monday. Kumagai has stated that he will bring in younger members of parliament into the new leadership, and the process of generational transition within the party is expected to accelerate.

Former co-leader of the Democratic Party, Saito Tetsuo, told reporters after Kumagai was elected as the new party leader: "Younger forces than myself and Mr. Hashimoto should expand the centrist approach," expressing his expectations for this change of leadership.

Previously, personnel appointments in the Constitutional Democratic Party were mocked as "rotating door appointments" — a group of people who have repeatedly held positions since the days of the Democratic Party, and are considered unable to drive the party's development. With senior politicians who had served as ministers and party officials during the Democratic Party era leaving Nagatacho, the renewal of the new leadership will further speed up.

Katsuda Katsuya, who once served as vice premier and foreign minister, and also served as the leader of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party for the People, lost the election; former Democratic Party leaders Ozawa Ichirō and Kaima Masahiro, as well as Shigehara Yūki, who founded the old Constitutional Democratic Party, also lost. This means that the political force originating from the Democratic Party has officially marked a phase ending.

The two candidates for the new leader of the Centrist Reform Alliance, Kumagai Atsuya and Hayakawa Takeo, are both in their 50s, and neither has any experience serving in the cabinet during the Democratic Party era. The party's core members welcomed this: "Getting rid of the outdated image and completing the reform will be a major benefit for the party's image in the future."

A Portrait of the New Party Leader, Kumagai Atsuya, with Sincere Words and Enthusiasm

Kumagai speaks with infectious energy, and his colleagues all evaluate him as "serious and full of passion." During his press conference, he even joked at one point, "Sorry, it's been an hour, can I go to the bathroom?" After taking a break, he continued to answer questions for another one and a half hours.

Kumagai previously worked in the old Ministry of Home Affairs, and was first elected to the House of Representatives at the age of 34 in March 2005. He has long been regarded as the "next generation's hope." Last summer, he became a grandfather. He is full of vigor and said, "My grandson is part of the generation that can live until 2100. As a leader, I have the responsibility to leave behind an ideal society for them."

Regarding the difficult task of steering the party, he admitted he felt somewhat reluctant: "It would not be an exaggeration to say it is like 'reaching into the fire to retrieve chestnuts.'" Even so, he made up his mind: "The more severe and difficult the moment, the more I need to take on the heavy burden proactively."

Original: toutiao.com/article/1857023503678474/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.