The leaders of Japan's ruling and opposition parties pose before taking part in a public debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Oct. 18, 2021, ahead of the Oct. 31 general election. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The following is a comparison of campaign pledges made by major political parties on key issues for the Oct. 31 House of Representatives election.

       (Coronavirus pandemic)

       Liberal Democratic Party will:

       -- promote the widespread use of oral COVID-19 medicine by the end of the year.

       -- provide financial support for nonregular employees, women, families with children and students.

       -- strengthen crisis management capabilities in the public health sector.

       -- amend the law to give stronger authority over countermeasures based on public debate.

       Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan will:

       -- establish a command post directly under the prime minister to act as a central authority for infection control.

       -- prepare a supplementary budget totaling more than 30 trillion yen ($262 billion), re-establish rent support and provide annual cash handouts of 120,000 yen to low-income households.

       -- enforce a quarantine period of at least 10 days for all overseas arrivals.

       -- provide monetary rewards for medical and nursing care workers, and comprehensive financial support for businesses.

       Komeito will:

       -- establish legislation to accelerate the development and commercialization of domestically produced vaccines and treatments, aiming for domestic self-sufficiency.

       -- promote the expansion of temporary medical facilities to proliferate "antibody cocktail" treatments.

       -- increase PCR testing capacity to 1 million per day, and increase production of antigen testing equipment.

       Japanese Communist Party will:

       -- make it possible for anyone to receive a PCR test free of charge together with a vaccine at any time.

       -- double the budget for beds for infectious diseases and emergency medical services, and increase budgets for public health centers and national research institutes.

       -- provide handouts of 100,000 yen per person for those with an annual income of less than 10 million yen.

       Japan Innovation Party will:

       -- increase the number of temporary medical facilities and expand the use of new treatments.

       -- roll out third vaccine shots based on scientific evidence, and use vaccine passports to balance the pandemic and economic recovery.

       Democratic Party for the People will:

       -- enable free testing and "antibody cocktail" treatment at home, accelerate the development and approval of domestic vaccines and treatments, establish a center for disease control and prevention.

       -- implement a 50 trillion yen emergency economic stimulus package, providing 100,000 yen handouts and 200,000 yen for low-income earners.

       (Economy/Taxation)

       LDP will:

       -- bolster the middle class through "new capitalism" that focuses on economic growth and redistribution.

       -- implement monetary easing, flexible fiscal stimulus and growth strategies to rebuild the economy.

       -- provide tax support for companies willing to raise wages to improve the labor share of income.

       CDPJ will:

       -- temporarily lower the consumption tax to 5 percent and reduce income tax for people who earn less than 10 million yen annually.

       -- gradually raise the minimum wage to 1,500 yen per hour, while providing subsidies to companies.

       -- revise the preferential tax treatment for the wealthy and mega companies.

       Komeito will:

       -- expand economic growth, employment and income by building a green, digital society and investing in human resources.

       -- promote recovery of the tourism industry by implementing a new "Go To Travel" campaign after the coronavirus is brought under control.

       JCP will:

       -- reduce the consumption tax to 5 percent and exempt businesses hit by the pandemic. Raise the minimum wage to 1,500 yen per hour.

       -- abolish and reduce preferential tax treatment for large corporations.

       Japan Innovation Party will:

       -- reduce the consumption tax to 5 percent for around two years.

       DPP will:

       -- pursue an aggressive fiscal policy of 150 trillion yen over 10 years to promote economic recovery.

       (Foreign Policy/Security/Constitution)

       LDP will:

       -- strengthen ties with countries and organizations that share universal values on the axis of the Japan-U.S. alliance, and welcome Taiwan's application to join the 11-member Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework.

       -- promote new initiatives to improve deterrence, including the capability to block ballistic missiles within foreign territory.

       -- increase defense spending, eyeing a ratio of above 2 percent of gross domestic product.

       CDPJ will:

       -- promote multilateral cooperation, particularly with neighboring countries, based on the Japan-U.S. alliance.

       -- strengthen regional security and the Japan Coast Guard to defend the Senkaku Islands.

       -- stop the planned move of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within Okinawa Prefecture.

       Komeito will:

       -- push ahead with preparation for Japan ratifying the nuclear weapon ban treaty, and participating as observer in the first meeting of state parties to the treaty.

       -- maintain Article 9 of the Constitution.

       JCP will:

       -- abolish the Japan-U.S. security treaty and conclude a treaty of friendship with the United States on equal footing.

       -- oppose revisions to the Constitution as proposed by the LDP.

       Japan Innovation Party will:

       -- abolish the defense spending quota of 1 percent of gross domestic product.

       -- strengthen free trade based on the Economic Partnership Agreement.

       -- include provisions in the Constitution for free education, government reform and the establishment of a constitutional court.

       DPP will:

       -- maintain and strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance.

       -- update the Constitution to guarantee human rights in response to the changing times.

       (Energy)

       LDP will:

       -- achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by restarting nuclear power plants with adequate safety measures, promoting electrified vehicles and boosting investment in clean energy.

       CDPJ will:

       -- reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 55 percent by 2030 compared with 2013 levels, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

       -- abandon nuclear power as soon as possible, not allowing any new facilities to be built.

       Komeito will:

       -- make renewable energy the main source of power as soon as possible, increasing the ratio to total electricity generation by around 2 percentage points annually.

       -- aim to eventually have zero nuclear plants, while not allowing the construction of new facilities.

       JCP will:

       -- reduce electricity consumption by 20 to 30 percent by 2030, and reduce coal-fired and nuclear power generation to zero. Have 50 percent of electricity provided by renewable energy.

       -- reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 to 60 percent from fiscal 2010 levels by fiscal 2030.

       Japan Innovation Party will:

       -- phase out existing nuclear power plants, and increase the share of renewable energy in domestic power generation.

       DPP will:

       -- not allow the construction of new nuclear power plants and strictly apply the 40-year operating limit.

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