Opposition leader Ozawa says people will opt for change of power

Friday 02nd January, 05:08 AM JST

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13 Comments

Badsey at 08:11 AM JST - 2nd January

we already have Obama-Change --> Are people ready for Ozawa-Change also?

Change 2008! Change 2009!! Hilliary Change Mccain Change McChange Burger

-a new slogan is desperately needed here.
Shumatsu_Samurai at 10:18 AM JST - 2nd January

Change + Ozawa = contradiction in terms
Dogdog at 10:38 AM JST - 2nd January

Change + Ozawa = contradiction in terms

My sentiment exactly. What a choice, the same old dry toast of the LDP or the ex dry toast of the LDP, under a new title.

Why oh why can't Kan or Hatoyama jnr be the alternative choice to the LDP, instead of this self seeking simpleton. Anyone remember the political ad during the last but one lower house election, where Ozawa was wrestloing with a robot????????
UnagiDon at 12:12 AM JST - 3rd January

Yep - Kan would be a way better choice. That's why the DPJ will probably get into power, then suffer a slide in popularity of LDP proportions with Ozawa in the lead.
LIBERTAS at 03:19 AM JST - 3rd January

Change: Yeas! But: A.B.O! (Anybody But Ozawa!)
ScottishThug at 05:30 AM JST - 3rd January

Ozawa has same funding scandals as LDP. He is not change.
The_Marion at 11:16 AM JST - 3rd January

Ozawa of the DPJ has always represented the PEOPLE of Japan and the PEOPLE of Japan strongly support Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Comstitution, thus I feel this is Ozawa's race to win........ ra
presto345 at 06:03 PM JST - 3rd January

Kan? Hatoyama? Ozawa? Meaning change? Absolutely. But change for the better? Are you kidding me?
930148mike at 04:24 PM JST - 4th January

With a mere 21% Cabinet support rating and a 73% public disapproval level, the days of the Aso-led LDP/New Komeito Coalition seem to be gradually but surely running out. Should the DPJ be the majority Party in the Diet following the next Election - due no later than in eight months' time (assuming the LDP does not tear itself apart in the meantime) - one wonders what kinds of policies Mr Ozawa and his colleagues will adopt and how much change there will actually be. The Japan-US alliance will stay; Japan's dependence on exports will stay; Japan's worries over China and North Korea will stay; and so on. Mr Ozawa will certainly be popular for a while, but, when he has to deal with deeper problems such as revitalizing a sluggish economy and reforming social welfare measures, he and the DPJ may succumb to the same malaise as that currently plaguing the LDP. Japan clearly wants and needs change - but how far will such change really go?
Simon_Foston at 09:45 PM JST - 4th January

Mr Ozawa will certainly be popular for a while, but, when he has to deal with deeper problems such as revitalizing a sluggish economy and reforming social welfare measures, he and the DPJ may succumb to the same malaise as that currently plaguing the LDP. Japan clearly wants and needs change - but how far will such change really go?

An interesting question. If you check their manifesto the DPJ have some good ideas but on some core issues their policies are depressingly similar to the LDP's. They seem to be intent on continuing to prop up struggling farms and small businesses with various subsidies, rather than embark on reforms that might enable those sectors of the economy to survive and prosper without continual government life support.
The_Marion at 12:40 AM JST - 5th January

Simon Foston: Ozawa has always been the voice of the PEOPLE and if you look back you will see I have always backed Ozawa as I do recognize he is very people-orientede. Frankly speaking, I am very interested on just how soon that Ozawa lets the world know how he stands on Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution.
The_Marion at 12:48 AM JST - 5th January

I am quite surprised that Japan Today has yet to write about multinationalism which would immediately open up dual citizenship. I am interested because I have meny grand-children who were born and raised in Japanese schools and I can assure you they all back Article 9 I don't know how Ozawa feels about multinationalism, but now that I have mentioned it, I feel he will let us know pronto
ScottishThug at 06:34 AM JST - 9th March

If you check their manifesto the DPJ have some good ideas but on some core issues their policies are depressingly similar to the LDP's

Such as on taking bribes