New Government to be Voted in Japan

Japan woke up to a new political reality after the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) swept to victory in Sunday's election, ending a half-a-century of almost unbroken rule by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Japan's next leader, Yukio Hatoyama, now faces the task of forming a government to tackle challenges such as reviving the economy and steering a new course with close ally Washington.

[Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister-elect]:
"It's taken a long time, but we have at last reached the starting line. This is by no means the destination. At long last we are able to move politics, to create a new kind of politics that will fulfill the expectations of the people."

The defeated LDP leader and Prime Minister Taro Aso said he took responsibility for the defeat, adding an LDP leadership race to pick a successor should be held soon.

[Taro Aso, Japanese Prime Minister]:
"I find it quite unfortunate that I've lost quite a few colleagues, and as party head, I feel this responsibility quite heavily. As a result, I express my desire to resign as LDP party head."

The untested Democrats will have to move quickly to keep support among voters worried about a record jobless rate and a rapidly ageing society that is inflating social security costs.

On the streets of Tokyo, people cautiously welcomed the new government in charge.

[Takayuki Ohira, Businessman]:
"I'm hoping that they'll clean up a lot of the waste that the LDP didn't, such as the bureaucracy."

[Masayuki Mori, Retiree]:
"I think it's quite hard to actually change, but if they don't do what they've promised in their manifesto, I don't think that voters will stay quiet."

The economy returned to growth in the second quarter, mostly because of short-term stimulus around the world, but the jobless rate rose to a record 5.7 percent in July while deflationary pressures have also set in.

Meanwhile, South Korea and China welcomed the victory of Japan's opposition party, especially since the party leader Hatoyama said he will not visit Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni shrine in an effort to have better relations with East Asian countries.

[Lee Hyon-joon]:
"Without visiting Yasukuni shrine, the new Japanese government will be welcomed by the international community. And they can keep a positive relationship with my country."

[Liu]:
"If they can, as they promised, avoid going to Yasukuni shrine and push for strengthening bilateral ties, I think this party will benefit us, and I will support it."

Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine, dedicated to Japan's war dead, is seen by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past.

Category:

News & Politics

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• NTD
• News
• Japan
• Election
• DPJ Yukio Hatoyama
• Taro Aso
• LPD

[BlazinNSoul]

I have to say I am more then a little worried about all of this. I think it is great that Hatoyama is really working for change. Although I scares me somewhat at his Anit-West views. Japan is the cornerstone of Washington's relations in Asia, and anything affecting ties with Tokyo is of vital importance to the U.S. Believe it or not Americans are more concerned with Asia then have ever been with the middle east. We can deal with Iraq but Asia is an ally we can't afford to loose gulp!!

[goikenban2009]

I'm not a right winger.But my comment being uploaded is always delited witrhout my permission, although we know YouTube is an American enterprise.

I think you'd be better become generous to the minority opinion a little more.

[survivalofone]

I hope Hatoyama Yukio will live up to the peoples' expectations.