Community | August 30, 2009 | 13 comments

Japanese Opposition Wins Elections in Landslide

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/world/asia/31japan.html

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TOKYO - Japan's ruling party conceded a crushing defeat Sunday after 54 years of nearly unbroken rule as voters were poised to hand the opposition a landslide victory in nationwide elections, driven by economic anxiety and a powerful desire for change.

The left-of-center Democratic Party of Japan was set to win 300 or more of the 480 seats in the lower house of parliament, ousting the Liberal Democrats, who have governed Japan for all but 11 months since 1955, according to exit polls by all major Japanese TV networks.

"These results are very severe," Prime Minister Taro Aso said in a news conference at party headquarters, conceding his party was headed for a big loss. "There has been a deep dissatisfaction with our party."

Aso said he would have to accept responsibility for the results, suggesting that he would resign as party president. Other LDP leaders also said they would step down, though official results were not to be released until early Monday morning.

The loss by the Liberal Democrats — traditionally a pro-business, conservative party — would open the way for the Democratic Party, headed by Yukio Hatoyama, to replace Aso and establish a new Cabinet, possibly within the next few weeks.

The vote was seen as a barometer of frustrations over Japan's worst economic slump since World War II and a loss of confidence in the ruling Liberal Democrats' ability to tackle tough problems such as the rising national debt and rapidly aging population.

The Democrats have embraced a more populist platform, promising handouts for families with children and farmers and a higher minimum wage.

"The nation is very angry with the ruling party, and we are grateful for their deep support," Hatoyama said after the polls closed. "We will not be arrogant and we will listen to the people."

end of excerpt

Source: MSNBC
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13 comments // Japanese Opposition Wins Elections in Landslide

  • BlackHole
  • biggranny
    • 0
      biggranny  

    • yes delia.these tims are a changin. however,lets not jump too quickly to praise. japans economy is fragile. a demand for change is a mandate,not a plan

    • 2 years ago
  • ProjectBat
    • 0
      ProjectBat  

    • Times are tough, we'll give you stuff. -Liberals

      How can you beat that? The average person can't understand that these things happen or the rationale that things might be better if they don't always have things subsidized. Oh well, at least they have free elections.

    • 2 years ago
  • ferrjuan
  • DeliaTheArtist
  • Eleganza
  • csmonut
    • 0
      csmonut  

    • America started a "change", so maybe it's catching on. Or is this the "new world order"?
      If it is, maybe the people will have more say.

    • 2 years ago
  • kennymotown
  • Nettle
    • 0
      Nettle  

    • "Aso said he would have to accept responsibility for the results"

      Seppuku! Jk, but really, they had this coming. Aso has made some hilarious decisions as of late, and I'm not at all surprised they've been trumped by the Democrats. The sheer landslide is a little surprising, though. Perhaps something to do with the (literally) explosive ad campaigns?

    • 2 years ago
  • kennymotown
  • current89
    • 0
      current89  

    • Quick explanation. Some of you might be wondering how the Liberal Democratic party isn't on the left side of the fence.

      Classical liberalism (Liberal Democratic Party of Japan) is quite the opposite of what Americans think of when they hear the term "liberal." Whereas the Democratic Party of Japan fits the American definition of liberal.

    • 2 years ago
  • manfreddrake
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