TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan unveiled Tuesday its campaign platform for this summer's upper house election with a counterproposal to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic policies, DPJ leader Banri Kaieda said.

"The Abe administration puts its emphasis on the nation and corporate enterprises but it is meaningless if the people aren't prosperous," Kaieda said at a news conference at his party's headquarters. "I will speak out to protect the people's livelihood."

In its platform, the DPJ, which lost power in the general election last December, stressed emboldening the middle class as part of its economic policies and said it will work to raise the minimum wage and foster industries in energy conservation and agricultural areas.

The DPJ criticized the administration's so-called "Abenomics" policies, aimed at beating chronic deflation with large budgetary spending, bolder monetary easing and other stimulus measures, saying they have "strong side effects" on the economy and that the country faces concerns such as "surging prices."

Among its seven key policies, the DPJ also highlighted pursuing comprehensive social security reforms. Measures would include pushing for the creation of a guaranteed minimum monthly pension, which the DPJ was unable to achieve while it was in power, and raising revenues paid to medical institutions under the national health insurance scheme to prevent collapse of the country's medical system.

Among other pledges, the DPJ said its stance regarding negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement is that Japan will not rule out leaving the negotiations if national interests are not ensured.

The DPJ also stated its opposition to moves to revise Article 96 to ease rules for initiating constitutional change.

The party is also calling for reducing the number of seats in the 480-seat lower house by 80 and the 242-seat upper house by 40.

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This news was published on June 26, 2013.

Source: http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130626p2g00m0dm035000c.html