Japanese editorial excerpts -2-

Japan Policy & Politics, Sept 20, 2004

TOKYO, Sept. 15 Kyodo

Selected editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

New start for Minshuto (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published Sept. 14)

Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) inaugurated a new leadership lineup headed by President Katsuya Okada and Secretary-General Tatsuo Kawabata at its convention Monday.

In the July Upper House election, Minshuto, led by Okada, won more seats than the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. In the opinion poll conducted immediately afterward, Minshuto's popularity soared, albeit temporarily, and had an approval rating higher than that of the LDP.

Those were unprecedented events in the postwar history of Japanese politics. Minshuto could be regarded as the first opposition party with the qualities to take over power from the LDP.

But there is still a point of concern in Minshuto: weak unity, particularly between Okada and former acting leader Ichiro Ozawa. The lack of cohesion stems from the fact that the party came into being as a collection of diverse elements during the last 10 years of political realignment.

Disharmony became apparent over the appointment of the party's secretary-general, a key position in the new leadership. Former Secretary-General Hirohisa Fujii declined Okada's request to remain at the post. Fujii is Ozawa's most loyal protege who, together with Ozawa, joined Minshuto from the Liberal Party.

While Ozawa explained that Fujii decided to turn down the offer on his own, the prevailing view among party members is that Fujii's decision was in line with Ozawa's intention to keep some distance from the party leadership.

Everybody recognizes Ozawa's rich experience in politics. He was part of the LDP's inner circle and served as its secretary-general. His whip-cracking leadership ushered in a new age of political reform by dividing the LDP.

Yet, Ozawa has recently made incomprehensible moves in regard to party management and the appointment of party officials.

Ozawa and other party members should not hesitate to hold discussions on a stand-by army for the United Nations, which is Ozawa's cherished proposition, and other policy matters.

But his intentions for the Okada-led party are difficult to comprehend. Some even go so far as to suspect that Ozawa may be stage-managing the rift in the party to heighten the image of his political clout.

Japan must have a political system in which power can change hands. And, surely, a change of government is Ozawa's wish.

Ozawa should be magnanimous enough to entrust the management of Minshuto to Okada, who was elected party leader in a democratic process. Ozawa, who is senior to Okada, should even take the initiative in creating a tide among party members to let Okada assume genuine leadership of the party.

(Sept. 15)