The Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party is a policy committee of the Liberal Democratic Party, the ruling party of Japan.
The Chairman of the Policy Research Council is the person responsible for deciding what policies and bills the Liberal Democratic Party should put forward. The policy compiled by the Policy Research Council is communicated to the Cabinet and reflected in the budget proposal. As long as the LDP is the ruling party, the Chairman of the Policy Research Council wields a strong influence over government policymaking. The three posts of the Secretary-General, who oversees all practical matters, including election strategies such as official endorsements, and the Chairman of the General Affairs Committee, the decision-making body, are collectively referred to as the "Three Top Party Officers". Including the Election Strategy Committee Chairman, they are also referred to as the "Four Top Party Officers." [1] [2]
The Research Council is made up of LDP Diet members and academic experts appointed by the party president, and is responsible for researching, drafting, and deliberating on party policies. Policies adopted by the LDP and bills submitted to the Diet must be reviewed by the Research Council. The Research Council and its subcommittees generally require unanimous consent. Investigative committees, special committees, and so on may be established as necessary. [2] [3]
The Policy Research Council is established as the decision-making body for the Policy Research Council. The Policy Research Council is composed of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Policy Research Council, and policies decided by the Policy Research Council must be promptly reported to the General Affairs Council and decided upon. Once a decision is made by the General Affairs Council, party discipline is binding. The party also established the House of Councillors Policy Council as an internal organ within the House of Councillors. [2]
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