Shinzo Abe

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) under Yoshihiko Noda suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Indeed, with 32 seats still undecided the DPJ only lead the Japan Restoration Party (JRP) by six seats. Therefore, the DPJ have suffered dramatically in this election because the LDP have won a landslide victory.

Shinzo Abe led Japan in 2006-2007 before resigning because of many internal issues within the LDP and because of issues related to his health. Yet while he briefly appeared to fall away behind the scenes, the crafty timing of his push for leadership was clearly well planned. Of course, it remains to be seen if Abe will make up for his last period in power but for now the Japanese people have entrusted him once more.

With eight seats still not being decided the current count shows a resounding victory for the LDP under Abe. Currently, the number of seats for the main political parties is 292 for the LDP, 56 for the DPJ and 51 for the JRP. Smaller parties are also represented but clearly the LDP must be celebrating tonight.

Abe told NHK that “I think the results do not mean we have regained the public’s trust 100 percent. Rather, they reflect `no votes’ to the DPJ’s politics that stalled everything the past three years…Now we are facing the test of how we can live up to the public’s expectations, and we have to answer that question.”

This is a fair comment because the DPJ had promised a new way after breaking the stranglehold of the LDP. However, internal political wrangling, three different leaders since 2009 and a stagnant economy have all left a negative impression. The LDP didn’t have to set the agenda too strongly because the DPJ was collapsing from within.

The new “third force” of the JRP under the guidance of Shintaro Ishihara and Toru Hashimoto must be satisfied with such a strong showing. Also, knowing Japan, it isn’t inconceivable that some DPJ members may “jump ship” if they think that further insider fighting will erupt. After all, many prominent individuals within the LDP “jumped ship” to the DPJ in the past and Japanese politics is rather unique when it comes to factionalism within all major political parties.

Ishihara ran on a ticket of strengthening Japan’s maritime capabilities, to challenge the bureaucracy and to alter the Constitution which limits the power of the military. He rightly points out that this was imposed by elites in Washington but clearly World War Two happened a long time ago. Also, Ishihara utilized his Tokyo political base and likewise Hashimoto did the same in Osaka. Indeed, both individuals are extremely well known for being outspoken and innovative.

However, the day belongs to Abe and the LDP because the victory was huge despite voter turn-out being relatively low. Abe promises to restore economic vitality, a sense of pride within the body politic of Japan and to maintain a firm relationship with America. Nothing really stands out about his pledges but in this election it didn’t matter because the DPJ collapsed from within. Therefore, it now remains to be seen if Abe can improve from last time and if he can shape a policy which will reinvigorate Japan.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com