The first question about Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is: how long will he last? He is Japan's sixth Prime Minister in five years, and the third to assume the office since the historic victory of the Democratic Party of Japan in 2009. The promise of clean politics and good governance that came with the ousting of the Liberal Democratic Party — and with it a sleazy back-room style of functioning — appears to have all but faded from public memory. Instead, there is the uncertain economy, sharpened by the world's recession woes. Japan is burdened by a public debt of 225 per cent of the gross domestic product, high social security and pension costs due to an ageing population, and a shrinking work force. A strong yen threatens to hit exports. On top of it all, there is the daunting task of the nuclear clean-up and rebuilding after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Prime Minister Noda's predecessor, Naoto Kan, had to step down following searing criticism of his handling of the disaster and the accompanying catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear plant. Not surprisingly, the DPJ fared poorly in the April local elections. Mr. Kan survived a no-confidence vote in June, but promised to quit after seeing three pieces of legislation through the Diet in August.
Mr. Noda held the finance portfolio in the Kan cabinet, and advocated a tax hike to meet Japan's post-disaster public spending — a move opposed by his own party. One of the biggest challenges facing him is the task of playing the conciliator between the bitterly opposed factions within the DPJ. His election as Prime Minister showed how deep factionalism runs — Mr. Noda had to wrestle four other candidates off the mat, and he won only in a second round run-off. The DPJ's woes are compounded by the opposition LDP's control over the upper house of parliament, from where it has opposed all government policies. Prime Minister Noda has emphasised Japan's relations with the United States as “its greatest asset,” signalling his intention to strengthen the ties. The two previous Prime Ministers walked a tightrope between the perceived Japanese need for the U.S. as a guarantor of regional peace, and the growing desire to cut dependence on the superpower and improve ties with China and other regional neighbours. As for Tokyo's reservations about a civilian nuclear deal with New Delhi, these could have only got strengthened. Post-Fukushima, the Japanese want to reduce their dependence on nuclear energy. The new man in the job has to prove himself on many fronts before the next elections, due in 2013. That is, if he lasts until then.
Keywords: Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Japan politics, Post-Fukushima, Liberal Democratic Party, world recession woes
Japan, what had set an example of facing the biggest trauma of nuclear attack and emerged so fast as developed country, would surely come out very soon of this natural calamities and nuclear disaster at Fukushima. It’s resilient power itself is an ideal example in the world.
It is really unfortunate to find Japan,a country known for its perfection to the core in many areas for a pretty long time,now bleeding and struggling to have even a sustained ruling system and more importantly,a Prime Minister par excellence to adorn the seat at least to the extent their Parliamentary system allows him to say on! Though there are many reasons that can be cited for this sickening situation that pervades this country now,the most important of them,to my mind is that, the Japanese of late have voluntarily become consistently inconsistent in everything including their decision making.
The hard work example set up by the Japaneese must be displayed again.
It is sad that your editorial presents a disquieting picture in Japan. And more than anything else it leads us to believe that the present dispensation is also doubtful to survive for long ! As a neighboring brethren of the Asian conglomeration ,India ,in the fitness of things should seriously consider what best could be done to give a helping hand to Japan in the current scenario. I am sure apart from the moral support something concrete could be thought of by our political wisdom!And sooner the better!
The politics in Japan like the economy is in a state of suspended animation. Some energy will have to be expended to put this in motion and the inertia prevalent in the systems will have to be cleared away.
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