菅首相「先頭で戦い抜く」　衆院選へ総力結集確認―自民が２年ぶり党大会

　自民党は２１日、定期党大会を２年ぶりに東京都内のホテルで開いた。菅義偉首相（党総裁）は演説で、次期衆院選について「どんなに遅くとも秋までにはある。先頭に立って戦い抜く決意だ」と表明。大会では「党公認・推薦候補者の全員当選を目指し、総力を結集する」とうたった運動方針を採択した。
　首相は、新型コロナウイルスの収束を最優先課題と位置付けた上で、「一進一退はあっても、必ず先に明かりが見えてくる」と指摘。「新型コロナという国難を乗り越え、日本を次の世代に引き継いでいけるのが自民党だ」と訴えた。
　また、今夏に延期された東京五輪・パラリンピックについて「世界に勇気と希望を届けたい。震災から復興する姿を示し、人類がコロナに打ち勝った証しとなる大会にしたい」と述べ、開催に強い意欲を示した。（2021/03/21-18:03）

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vowed on Sunday to spearhead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's campaign in the next general election for the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country's parliament.
   "The general election will be held by autumn this year at the latest. I'm determined to wage the battle to the end at the forefront of the race," Suga, also president of the LDP, said in a speech at the party's annual convention, held for the first time in two years. The terms of office for the current Lower House members are set to expire on Oct. 21.
   At the convention, held at a hotel in Tokyo, the LDP adopted its platform for 2021, which underscored the party's resolve to unite to secure victories for all official candidates and candidates supported by the party in public offices elections to be held this year.
   Noting that bringing the novel coronavirus epidemic under control is top priority for the LDP, Suga said, "There could be both good and bad developments in the infection situation, but I believe we can see a light ahead."
   "Our party can help Japan overcome the coronavirus crisis and pass down the country to the next generation," Suga said.