New Ruling Party Won't Change East Asian Dynamic
The Democratic Party of Japan Must Focus on Domestic Issues First
Sep 16, 2009
The Japanese elections on August 30 proved to be a resounding referendum on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed Japan since 1955. Instead, Japanese voters opted for the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) with its promise of democratic and domestic reform. However, because the LDP has enjoyed such an enduring reign over the government often the same politicians have held the same seats in the Diet for years. Now the DPJ, with 304 seats in the Lower House, have many political neophytes who must quickly adjust to having real influence in government and policy.
The Politicians
Because the LDP was a political machine, the DPJ or any other party often had a very difficult time securing a significant number of seats. Thus, the DPJ lacks a significant number of veteran politicians; this could potentially lead to a more fragmented DPJ since there are few individuals who can rally support among the DPJ. One the other hand, it is equally likely that the lack of established leadership might give rise to a more cohesive party that sees strength in its numbers. While far from certain, the DPJ may rally under its common policy agenda and thus provide the necessary leadership to ensure an efficient rule of law.
The Staffers
The exit of LDP experience extends beyond the politicians themselves. Each incumbent that lost his or her seat had a staff, which now will also leave the government, exacerbating the experience vacuum. Thus, the DPJ must now not only learn to be a ruling party but must also rebuild the guts and structures that allow the government to function on a daily basis.
The Agenda
Regardless of DPJ ambitions and aspirations, over the next few months the new government will be spending time dealing with the transition of power. Particularly because the DPJ advocates a different way of government from its predecessor – which was known for big bureaucracy, heavy private industry influences, and decentralized decision-making – it must learn to deal with the former system as it develops the mechanisms for a new system. Although in the past the DPJ has been more nationalistic than the LDP, with calls for greater independence from the United States, Prime Minister Hatoyama will likely have to change his rhetoric as the realities of the governing become clearer. What the DPJ must first accomplish before it can offer a change to foreign policy is a revision of domestic policy. This means achieving sustained economic growth, strengthening government institutions, and convincing the Japanese people that it is indeed fit to be a ruling party.
 |
