Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TOKYO1051
2008-04-17 04:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF JAPAN GROUPS AND THEIR
how-toVZCZCXRO0258 PP RUEHDT RUEHPB DE RUEHKO #1051/01 1080425 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 170425Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3510 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 7319 RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 9697 RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 0990 RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 7913 RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHMFISS/USFJ PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 001051
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2018/04/15
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL JA
SUBJECT: DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF JAPAN GROUPS AND THEIR
POLITICAL IMPACT
REF: TOKYO 781
TOKYO 00001051 001.2 OF 007
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, reasons 1.4(b),(d).
Summary and Comment
-------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 07 TOKYO 001051
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2018/04/15
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL JA
SUBJECT: DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF JAPAN GROUPS AND THEIR
POLITICAL IMPACT
REF: TOKYO 781
TOKYO 00001051 001.2 OF 007
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, reasons 1.4(b),(d).
Summary and Comment
--------------
¶1. (C) The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),Japan's largest
opposition party and controller of the Diet's Upper House,
until recently had only one party grouping that was
considered effective and influential: DPJ head Ichiro
Ozawa's inner circle. Over the past several months, however,
other DPJ groups, notably those opposed to Ozawa, have become
more united and active. With the DPJ presidential election
scheduled to be held in September 2008, and the possibility
of broad political realignment in the offing, how the DPJ's
groups maneuver and interact will have a significant impact
on Japan's political future.
¶2. (C) If the DPJ presidential election were held today,
Embassy Tokyo's contacts believe that Ozawa, the DPJ's Diet
election mastermind, would probably be reelected. However,
Ozawa's stock is going down. Recent missteps have led to
increasing friction with both the party's leadership and
rank-and-file. In addition, his personal approval rating is
lower than PM Fukuda's and his disapproval rating is higher.
The DPJ's support rate has dropped due to its handling of the
Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor issue. As the DPJ considers who
can best lead the party to victory in the next general
election -- the timing of which remains unknown -- there will
be intense jockeying for position within and among the
party's various groups. This cable describes these groups
and their leaders, policy focus, and membership. It also
highlights how these groups differ from the ruling Liberal
Democratic Party's (LDP) factions. End Summary and Comment.
How DPJ Groups Differ from LDP Factions
--------------
¶3. (C) DPJ groups and the LDP factions differ greatly in
purpose and orientation. The LDP factions' power has
traditionally been based on the ability to provide financial
support and secure Cabinet and party posts for faction
members, thereby guaranteeing factional loyalty. Although
the "money game" is less important following changes in
Japan's electoral system and in the Political Funding Control
Law, LDP factions still support their members financially and
continue to use their influence whenever possible to secure &#