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  930148mike at 07:02 PM JST - 31st May

  Now that the Aso Government's 13.9 trillion yen (or US$147 billion) supplementary budget has been forced through the Diet, the Prime Minister might be thinking that he can now go to the people saying that his Government is actively promoting a potential turnaround for the ailing Japanese economy. The question, though, is will Japan's 100 million voters see things his way? Four days ago in the Diet, both Mr Aso and Mr Hatoyama clashed in debate over which of them offered Japan the most as the serving Government. Mr Hatoyama successfully put forward his vision for Japan, espousing the creation of "a society of fraternity... where people can find happiness through bonding and embrace a sense of belonging, to feel useful." This struck a resonant chord with many voters, tired of low wages, insecure working conditions, inadequate social welfare benefits and damaged hopes for the future. The DPJ, since the succession of Mr Hatoyama as President, has been growing noticeably in political strength. On 24 May 2009, in the Mayoral Election in Saitama, a city North of Tokyo considered an LDP stronghold, the DPJ-backed candidate, Mr Hayato Shimizu, won a resounding victory over the LDP-supported candidate, Mr Soichi Aikawa - exceeding Mr Aikawa's vote by 57,150 ballots or 58% more than his LDP rival. DPJ officials drew great comfort from this result, indicating to them a revival of voter support since the election of the Hatoyama leadership. Such optimism is also being borne out in recent public opinion polling - with a Mainichi Shimbun survey finding that 56% of voters want a DPJ Government after the General Election and only 29% of voters in favour of the LDP. Buoyed by growing public support, Mr Hatoyama is putting forward policies that he hopes will win him and his Party victory in August or later when the Election is eventually held. He is calling for the removal of power from the bureaucracy; the eradication of wasteful spending; the funding of the public pension system through tax revenue; the raising of disposable household income by 20%; and the distancing of Japan diplomatically and militarily from the United States. Political commentators put forward three possible outcomes for the contest between the LDP and the DPJ - first, a DPJ majority of seats in the Lower House in a coalition with smaller parties to secure passage of legislation through both Houses of the Diet; second, a very close, indecisive result with both the LDP and the DPJ trying to capture defectors to their respective sides producing weak vacillating government; and third, an LDP-led bloc without its current two thirds majority, causing the persistence of political deadlock and prompting talk of a 'grand coalition.' Everything depends on the next Election, which, in turn, depends on the mood of the Prime Minister. One can only wait and watch.

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  stirfry at 09:42 PM JST - 31st May

  i hope they're all packed

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