JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/31/09

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO PGOV PINR ECON ELAB JA SUBJECT: JAPANESE MORNING PRESS HIGHLIGHTS 08/31/09 Index: House of Representatives election special 1) Top headlines 2) Editorials 3) LDP suffers historical defeat, winning only 119 seats, a loss of 181, while Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) reaches sole majority of 308, gaining 191 (Yomiuri) 4) Prime Minister Aso to step down as party president to take responsibility for LDP's massive defeat (Nikkei) 5) Turnout rate in the election was a high 69.28; Tokyo was 66 PERCENT (Yomiuri) 6) Big names tumble in the LDP as strongholds fall across the country (Yomiuri) 7) Former Prime Minister Kaifu loses his seat, so does Komeito head Ota (Asahi) 8) New Komeito loses big in small districts (Yomiuri) 9) Ota to quit as head of the New Komeito (Yomiuri) 10) Finance Minister Yosano and Seiko Noda among LDP bigwigs who lost (Asahi) 11) But Yosano revived in the proportional race (Asahi) 12) People's New Party Watanuki, who campaigned against postal reform, loses his seat (Asahi) 13) JCP keeps nine seats in Lower House election; supporting DPJ from the sideline backfires (Mainichi) 14) Small parties survive: Hiranuma's group and Yoshimi Watanabe's "Your Party" (Mainichi) 15) Tokyo proportional representation bloc: DPJ increases by two to eight seats (Yomiuri) Exit polls: 16) Yomiuri and NTV joint poll shows 50 PERCENT of unaffiliated voters opted for the DPJ (Yomiuri) 17) Kyodo poll: Half of the unaffiliated voters favored DPJ candidates; 30 PERCENT of LDP supporters went over to the DPJ side (Nikkei) 18) Asahi poll shows the DPJ's gender gap is over with women voting in droves for the party (Asahi) 19) Coalition talks with the DPJ will now begin (Asahi) U.S.-Japan relations: 20) DPJ as the ruling party to make good on its promise to revisit Futenma relocation and revise the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (Nikkei) 21) Concern in Washington about the DPJ's brand of foreign policy (Tokyo Shimbun) 22) U.S. government stresses continuity of alliance relations with the new DPJ government (Sankei) 23) U.S. will try to build confidence measures with the Hatoyama government (Asahi) 24) Close relations to be the continued aim of the U.S government but fear of the future of security ties lies deep (Asahi) Articles: 1) TOP HEADLINES Asahi: (1) Landslide victory for DPJ, change of administration: Respond to the overwhelming popular will TOKYO 00001993 002 OF 017 Mainichi: (1) The people changed Japan: A change of administration in the spirit of the Meiji Restoration Yomiuri: (1) DPJ administration now a reality: Meet the expectations for change and shoulder the heavy responsibility Nikkei: (1) The people bet on a DPJ administration under Hatoyama Sankei: (1) DPJ administration: Protect national interest with a pragmatic line; conservative revival is LDP's path to survival Tokyo Shimbun: (1) The wheel of history turned: DPJ wins landslide victory; LDP defeated Akahata: (1) Historic verdict: the LDP-New Komeito administration forced to step down 2) EDITORIALS Asahi: DPJ wins 308 seats, change of administration: Hatoyama to become prime minister Mainichi: DPJ wins 308 seats, captures political power; PM Hatoyama to be elected at Lower House; First full-fledged change of administration in history Yomiuri: DPJ wins 308 seats, change of administration; LDP wins only 119 seats, suffers historic defeat Nikkei: DPJ wins 308 seats, change of administration; Hatoyama cabinet to be formed mid-September; LDP suffers historic defeat Sankei: The day that changed history: DPJ wins landslide history; LDP suffers crushing defeat Tokyo Shimbun: DPJ wins 308 seats, change of administration; LDP wins only 119 seats, suffering unprecedented defeat Akahata: LDP, New Komeito suffer historic defeat; People pronounce their verdict 3) DPJ wins 308 seats, achieving change of government; LDP wins only 119 seats, suffering historic defeat YOMIURI (Top play) (Abridged) August 31, 2009 The 45th House of Representatives election, where the main issue was TOKYO 00001993 003 OF 017 choosing an new administration, took place on August 30. The results of the tally showed that the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) had won 308 seats, way above the majority (241 seats). The party has succeeded in capturing political power. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is now the second party for the first time since its founding. Prime Minister Taro Aso announced his resignation as party president on the evening of August 30. This will be the first time for Japan to have a non-LDP administration in 16 years, since the Hosokawa administration. This is also the first time that the number one opposition party has won a majority of seats single-handedly and achieved a change of administration under the current Constitution, signaling that Japanese politics has reached a major turning point. DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama is moving immediately to prepare for administration transition and will be conducting policy consultations with the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party toward forming a coalition government. A new administration with Hatoyama as prime minister will be launched in mid-September. 4) Prime minister Aso to step down as LDP president NIKKEI (Page 1) (Full) August 31, 2009 The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has tumbled from its position as the number one party in the Lower House, losing roughly 60 percent of the 300 seats it held until the official announcement of the election. Prime Minister Taro Aso (also LDP president) during an NHK TV program yesterday evening announced his decision to step down as LDP president, noting: "I must seriously acknowledge the voices of the people and make a fresh start by humbly reflecting on the results. I must take responsibility." LDP Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda on the same evening told the prime minister that the three top party executives and acting secretary general will all step down. The prime minister, appearing on a Fuji TV program, said, "I would like to call an LDP presidential election involving local party members and friends of the party after the Diet nomination for prime minister." Hosoda during a press conference revealed that the party is planning to hold a presidential election in late September. Some members, however, take the view that it would be desirable to elect the new president before the Diet nomination for prime minister at the special Diet session. This is the LDP's first fall from power since the establishment in 1993 of the non-LDP coalition government led by Morihiro Hosokawa as prime minister, when the party lost its majority in the Lower House election. At that time, the LDP was still the top party in the Lower House even after the election. It snatched power from the Hosoakwa administration by forming a coalition with the Socialist Party and the New Party Sakigake in 1994. 5) Voter turnout at record high of 69.28 PERCENT YOMIURI (Page 2) (Full) August 31, 2009 Voter turnout for the 45th House of Representatives election yesterday was a record 69.28 PERCENT , more than the 67.51 PERCENT in the previous Lower House election in 2005, according to an estimate by the Yomiuri Shimbun. The turnout in single-seat TOKYO 00001993 004 OF 017 constituencies was the highest ever since the mixed electoral system of single-seat and proportional representation constituencies was introduced in 1996, 6) LDP loses seats in Lower House election even in traditional strongholds YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged) August 31, 2009 The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has suffered a historic debacle and many of its "heavyweights," such as faction leaders and former cabinet ministers, have lost in the election. The LDP lost House of Representatives seats even in single-seat districts that used to be its traditional strongholds. Taku Yamasaki, chairman of the Yamasaki faction and a former vice president, lost in the second district of Fukuoka. Takashi Sasagawa, chairman of the General Council and one of the party's top three executives, lost in the second district of Gunma. Among former cabinet ministers, Shoichi Nakagawa, former minister of finance and financial services, lost in the 11th district of Hokkaido; Norihiko Akagi, former agriculture minister, lost in the first district of Ibaraki; Yuya Niwa, former health minister, lost in the sixth district of Ibaraki; Hajime Funada, former Economic Planning Agency director general, lost in the first district of Tochigi; Yoshinobu Shimamura, former agriculture minister, lost in the 16th district of Tokyo; Mitsuo Horiuchi, former minister of international trade and industry, lost in the second district of Yamanashi; Hakuo Yanagisawa, former health minister, lost in the third district of Shizuoka; Taro Nakayama, former foreign minister, lost in the 18th district of Osaka; Seiichi Ota, former agriculture minister, lost in the third district of Fukuoka; and Fumio Kyuma, former defense minister, lost in the second district of Nagasaki. 7) Ex-PM Kaifu, New Komeito leader Ota, other political heavyweights lose seats in Lower House election; ASAHI (Page 1) (Full) August 31, 2009 The following prominent candidates lost in the House of Representatives election: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Toshiki Kaifu, former prime minister Shoichi Nakagawa, former finance minister and minister for financial services Taku Yamasaki, former LDP vice president Fumio Kyuma, former defense minister Takashi Sasagawa, chairman of the General Council Mitsuo Horiuchi, former chairman of the General Council Norihiko Akagi, former agriculture minister Hakuo Yanagisawa, former health minister Yuya Niwa, former health minister Koji Omi, former finance minister Takashi Fukaya, former minister of economy, trade, and industry Yoshinobu Shimamura, former agriculture minister Shunichi Suzuki, former environment minister Satsuki Katayama, former Finance Ministry division chief Yukari Sato, former foreign securities firm employee TOKYO 00001993 005 OF 017 New Komeito Akihiro Ota, party leader Kazuo Kitagawa, secretary general Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, former minister of land, infrastructure, transport, and tourism People's New Party Tamisuke Watanuki, party leader Hisaoki Kamei, secretary general 8) New Komeito defeated in all single-seat constituencies YOMIURI (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 31, 2009 The New Komeito suffered the most crushing defeat in the House of Representatives election since the party was established, with all eight of its candidates in single-seat constituencies defeated, including President Ota and Secretary General Kitagawa. Taking the view that the party got caught up in the adverse wind against the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),some party members have begun to call for a review of its relations with the LDP. Ota stated at party headquarters in the early hours today: "I keenly sense my responsibility for the election results. I am determined to do my best to reconstruct the party. I would like to discuss with other senior members what steps we should take to that end." However, with only party members elected under the proportional representation segment as Lower House members, the New Komeito will inevitably find it difficult to pick new executive members. In the election campaign, the junior ruling party underscored, in unison with the LDP, the ruling coalition's achievements and ability to take responsibility, in addition to criticizing the Democratic Party of Japan's lack of ability to govern. But senior party members, including Ota, had to give priority to their own election campaigning in the face of a strong adverse wind and had no leeway to support other candidates (of the LDP). Predicting such a situation, the party had considered prior to the official announcement of the election the possibility of also putting the names of Ota and Kitagawa on its proportional representation list, but this idea was dropped, reflecting voices of concern about "a lack of seriousness." The New Komeito intends to continue its joint struggle with the LDP as an opposition party in Diet affairs and on other occasions for the time being. With an eye toward the House of Councillors election next summer, however, some party members have begun to suggest reviewing its current relations with the LDP, with one member remarking: "There is no such phrase as 'opposition coalition'." A senior party member said: "There were times in which we were caught in dilemmas because we had to compromise with the LDP over security and other policies after we formed a coalition in 1999. Looking back on the past ten years, we will discuss from scratch what our party should be from now on." 9) New Komeito secures record low Lower House seats; Ota to resigns as party head TOKYO 00001993 006 OF 017 ASAHI (Page 3) (Excerpts) August 31, 2009 The New Komeito suffered a historic defeat in Sunday's House of Representatives election, securing a record low of 25 seats, falling below the 31 seats the party had held before the dissolution of the Lower House. Both Party Head Akihiro Ota and Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa were defeated in the election. The party is certain to be forced to reflect on the past ten years of its coalition government with the Liberal Democratic Party. The party is likely to decide whether to support the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) or the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on an issue-by-issue case. Ota told the press corps early this morning: "I feel acutely my responsibility for the results of the election," indicating his intention to resign as chief representative of the New Komeito. The names of Vice Representative Yoshihisa Inoue, Policy Research Council Chairman Natsuo Yamaguchi, Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito, and Deputy Chief Representative Toshiko Yatsu are being floated as candidates to succeed Ota as the next chief representative. Since Ota has said that his party will not form an opposition coalition, the New Komeito is certain to distance itself from the LDP. 10) LDP's Yosano, Noda defeated in district races, but secure proportional representation seats ASAHI (Page 19) (Excerpts) August 31, 2009 Incumbent ministers are generally believed to have an advantage in elections, but Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano, 71, was defeated by Banri Kaieda, 60, a candidate on the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) ticket in the Tokyo No. 1 district race in Sunday's House of Representatives election. State Minister for Consumer Affairs Seiko Noda, 46, was also defeated by a new DPJ candidate. The two cabinet ministers were elected in the proportional representation segment. Education Minister Ryu Shionoya, 59, was defeated in the Shizuoka No. 8 district election, but secured a proportional representation seat. Also Motoo Hayashi, state minister for Okinawa, Northern Territories, and disaster management, who ran in the Chiba No. 10 district, was defeated. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Tsutomu Sato was defeated in the Tochigi No. 4 district. 11) Tokyo proportional representation bloc: DPJ increases by two to eight seats; LDP's Yosano restored in the proportional race ASAHI (Page 16) (Full) August 31, 2009 The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won eight seats (six in the previous election) in the Tokyo proportional representation block race of yesterday's House of Representatives election, in which the DPJ fought to bring about a change of government. The DPJ had suffered a crushing defeat in the 2005 Lower House election, which TOKYO 00001993 007 OF 017 focused on postal privatization, securing about 700,000 votes less than the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The DPJ, however, outnumbered the LDP yesterday's general election. Following Mitsuaki Takeda, a new-face candidate, and Eiko Ishige, a former lawmaker, who ran only in the DPJ proportional representation segment of the ballot, Koki Kobayashi won a seat, returning to the national politics. Kobayashi, who had been expelled from the LDP due to his opposition to postal privatization, was included in the DPJ's list of candidates for the proportional representation section immediately before the start of the official campaign for the general election because he failed to run in the poll as an independent in the Tokyo No. 10 single-seat district. Meanwhile, the LDP secured only five Tokyo proportional representation seats (seven in the previous race). The LDP leadership gave 22 candidates running also in single-seat district races the highest ranking on its proportional representation list. Such candidates as Kaoru Yosano, who ran in the Tokyo No. 1 district race, and Yuriko Koike, who ran in the Tokyo No. 10 district, were elected in the proportional representation segment of the vote although they lost their single-seat elections because their margins of defeat were high. The New Komeito kept two seats, which the party has had since 2000, as Yosuke Takagi and Michiyo Takagi were elected. The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) won one seat (one in the previous election) although it had put four candidates its list. Only Ryo Kasai won a seat. The Your Party also secured only one seat. Mito Kakizawa gained a Your Party propositional representation seat even though he was defeated in the Tokyo No. 15 district race. The Social Democratic Party, which had won one seat in the 2005 election, won no seat. 12) PNP leader Watanuki defeated in Lower House election ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 31, 2009 The People's New Party (PNP),which was established in 2005 mainly by former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers opposing postal privatization, fought an uphill battle in yesterday's House of Representatives election, as its leader Tamisuke Watanuki and Secretary General Hisaoki Kamei were defeated. Kamei told reporters last night: "We failed to acknowledge the public's anger toward the LDP. Votes went to the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)." Watanuki, who ran only for the proportional representation segment of the ballot, did not use the expression "change of government" in his stump speeches, thinking that using such an expression would benefit the DPJ alone. He repeatedly called on voters to summarize the Koizumi-Takenaka reform program. The PNP, which is expected to form a coalition government with the DPJ, intends to demonstrate its political imprint in the House of Councillors, in which the DPJ does not have a single-party majority, maintaining its relationship with the DPJ. 13) JCP keeps nine seats in Lower House election; supporting DPJ from the sideline backfires TOKYO 00001993 008 OF 017 MAINICHI (Page 4) (Abridged) August 31, 2009 Daisuke Kondo The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) won nine seats in the House of Representatives election, which is the same as the number of seats it held before the election, and is pleased with the crushing defeat suffered by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). However, there is also no denying that its presence has been weakened by the strategy of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to ask the voters to choose an administration. It can be said that the JCP's decision not to field candidates in single-seat districts where it used to have candidates in order to support a change of administration by the DPJ from the sidelines backfired. At the height of the election campaign, it resorted to publicizing its independent role as a "constructive opposition party," which will adopt an issue-by-issue approach toward a "DPJ administration," to salvage its campaign, but this came too late. While the party is able to keep the same number of seats, it failed to expand its influence. "The tide turned against the politics conducted by the LDP and New Komeito," stressed JCP Chairman Kazuo Shii on a late night NHK TV program on August 30. "In our role as a constructive opposition party we would like to cooperate with the DPJ administration in doing good things and oppose firmly the bad things. We will make efforts to move politics forward." The JCP reduced the number of its candidates in the single-seat districts to 152, which was nearly half of the number (275) in the previous election in 2005. It regarded the election as what Shii called "a verdict on saying goodbye to the LDP-New Komeito administration." The JCP, in effect, facilitated the flow of JCP votes to the DPJ in constituencies in which it did not field candidates. Its goal was to win 6.5 million proportional representation votes and increase the party's number of seats in all 11 proportional representation blocs. Party leaders stumped nationwide, targeting voters who wanted to say no to the LDP-New Komeito administration but felt unsure about a DPJ administration. 14) "Your Party," Hiranuma Group fail to become pivot of realignment of political forces MAINICHI (Page 4) (Full) August 31, 2009 Daisuke Nohara With the landslide victory won by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ),"Your Party," the new party established by former Administrative Reform Minister Yoshimi Watanabe and others, and the independent "Hiranuma Group," created by former Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Takeo Hiranuma, are now forced to rethink their strategy. Their goal had been to hold the casting vote and become the pivot of the realignment of political forces if the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the DPJ were equally matched. However, with the DPJ's control of a vast majority of seats, it will be difficult for these two groups to make their presence felt. Your Party campaigned on a platform of "change of administration TOKYO 00001993 009 OF 017 plus realignment of political forces." Watanabe, its leader, and Kenji Eda won seats in single-seat districts. Koichi Yamauchi won on the proportional representation ticket, while Keiichiro Asao and Mito Kakizawa won seats on the proportional representation ticket after losing in the single-seat districts, making a total of five seats. However, with the DPJ winning over 300 seats, the party's prospects are dim. In the latter half of the campaign, Watanabe was trying to make the party available to the DPJ. "If the DPJ asks us to discuss forming an administration, we will oblige," he remarked. However, this was ignored by the DPJ because, according to DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada, "(Your Party's) intentions are unclear." "We had not expected the DPJ to be this strong, remarked a distressed official of the Hiranuma Group. "We are at a loss as to what to do from now." The group's goal had been to serve as a "third pole" to attract the votes of those who are dissatisfied with both the LDP and the DPJ and to form a new party by recruiting members from other parties after the election. However, out of its 17 candidates, only three were elected - Hiranuma, Ryuji Koizumi (Saitama 11th district) and Minoru Kiuchi (Shizuoka 7th district). The number of elected members does not even meet the minimum (five Diet members) required by the Public Offices Election Law for recognition as a political party, so the founding of a new party will be difficult. 15) Voter turnout for Lower House election in Tokyo at 66.37 PERCENT YOMIURI (Page 16) (Excerpts) August 31, 2009 Voter turnout in the small constituencies in Tokyo for the House of Representatives election yesterday was 66.37 PERCENT on average (with 66.20 PERCENT of all male eligible voters and 66.54 PERCENT of female voters),up 0.78 percentage points over the previous election in September 2005 (65.59 PERCENT ). According to an announcement by the Tokyo Metropolitan Electoral Management Committee, the number of eligible voters as of yesterday was 10,601,391, of whom 7,035,959 voters cast ballots. The turnout yesterday was higher than that for the previous election, in which the Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory and for which the turnout marked the highest figure in the Heisei period. The highest turnout was marked in Tokyo No. 12 Constituency (the western part of Kita and Adachi wards) at 69.06 PERCENT , while the lowest turnout was 61.94 PERCENT in Tokyo No. 16 Constituency (the south-central part of Edogawa Ward). 1.5 times more voters take advantage of early voting system According to an aggregate announced yesterday by the Tokyo Metropolitan Electoral Management Committee, 1,454,116 voters cast ballots in Tokyo as of Aug. 29. This figure is 1.54 times more than in the previous Lower House election in 2005. 16) Over 50 PERCENT of floating voters cast their votes for DPJ YOMIURI (Page 4) (Abridged) August 31, 2009 A surging crowd of floating voters with no particular party TOKYO 00001993 010 OF 017 affiliation cast their votes for the Democratic Party of Japan, the Yomiuri Shimbun found from its exit poll conducted yesterday with NTV-affiliated stations. Among those floating or unaffiliated voters, more than 50 PERCENT cast their votes for the DPJ both in their single-seat constituencies and in their proportional representation blocs. In the exit poll, floating voters with no particular party affiliation accounted for 21 PERCENT of all those polled. Among those floating voters, 52 PERCENT cast their votes for the DPJ in their proportional representation blocs, with 16 PERCENT voting for the LDP. The difference was 36 points. Urban districts are said to have comparatively many floating voters, who tend to be critical of the Liberal Democratic Party. In an exit poll at the time of the election for the House of Representatives in 2003, the DPJ was 35 points higher than the LDP. In the last election held in 2005 over the privatization of state-run postal services, however, the gap narrowed to 6 points. This time, the proportion of those who voted for the DPJ among floating voters rose 14 points. Meanwhile, the proportion of those who voted for the LDP among floating voters dropped 16 points. This can be taken as a major factor of the DPJ's overwhelming victory. Among floating voters, 8 PERCENT voted for the Japanese Communist Party, 6 PERCENT for the Social Democratic Party, 6 PERCENT for the New Komeito party, 2 PERCENT for the People's New Party, and 1 PERCENT for the New Party Nippon. Among floating voters, 59 PERCENT voted for the DPJ's candidate in their single-seat constituencies, with 24 PERCENT casting their votes for the LDP's candidate. The DPJ was up 14 points from the last election for the House of Representatives, with the LDP down 15 points. LDP supporters also distanced themselves from the LDP. In the exit poll, LDP supporters were asked which political party they voted for in their proportional representation blocs. To this question, 54 PERCENT answered that they voted for the DPJ, with 29 PERCENT saying they voted for the DPJ. The proportion of those who voted for the LDP among LDP supporters dropped 18 points from the last election for the House of Representatives, and that of those who voted for the DPJ among LDP supporters rose 16 points. This shows that the LDP failed lock on its supporters. 17) Exit poll: More than 50 PERCENT of floating votes cast for DPJ; 30 PERCENT of LDP supporters also vote for DPJ NIKKEI (Page 3) (Abridged) August 31, 2009 Kyodo News conducted an exit poll of voters yesterday at polling stations throughout the country to probe the trends of voters in yesterday's general election for the House of Representatives. According to findings from the exit poll, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito supporters distanced themselves from the ruling coalition of the LDP and the New Komeito. In addition, floating voters with no particular party affiliation leaned toward the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). These factors brought a historic change of government. Furthermore, the Japanese Communist Party narrowed down its fielding of candidates on its ticket. This TOKYO 00001993 011 OF 017 also worked to the DPJ's advantage. Amid the strong tailwind for the DPJ, each political party head's influence was limited. In the exit poll, 22.5 PERCENT of voters answered that they did not support any particular political party. Those floating voters with no particular party affiliation were further asked which political party's candidate they voted for in their single-seat constituencies and which political party they voted for in their proportional representation blocs. In the breakdown of their answers, the DPJ scored 51.6 PERCENT for proportional representation and 59.4 PERCENT for single-seat constituencies. As seen from these figures, the DPJ won high support ratings from more than half of the floating or unaffiliated voters both in single-seat constituencies and in proportional representation blocs. The DPJ was severely defeated by the LDP in the 2005 election for the House of Representatives. At that time, the DPJ garnered 38.2 PERCENT of votes cast by floating or unaffiliated voters in the nation's proportional representation blocs and 45.5 PERCENT of their votes in the nation's single-seat constituencies. At the time of the election for the House of Councillors in 2007, the DPJ garnered 51.2 PERCENT of floating votes for proportional representation. In the election this time, the DPJ maintained its momentum from the 2007 election for the House of Councillors. Meanwhile, in the election this time, the proportion of those who voted for the LDP among floating voters was 15.6 PERCENT , less than one third of that for the DPJ. Among floating voters in the nation's single-seat constituencies as well, the LDP fell markedly behind the DPJ, as seen from the fact that the proportion of those who voted for the LDP among those floating voters in nation's single-seat constituencies was 23.4 PERCENT . At the time of the last election for the House of Representatives in 2005, the LDP was boosted by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's personal popularity and closed in on the DPJ, garnering 32.6 PERCENT of floating votes for proportional representation and 37.4 PERCENT of floating votes in single-seat constituencies. This time, however, the LDP was completely left behind by the DPJ. In the nation's proportional representation blocs, the Japanese Communist Party garnered 8.9 PERCENT of floating votes, Your Party 7.5 PERCENT , the Social Democratic Party 6.1 PERCENT , the New Komeito 4.9 PERCENT , the People's New Party 2.0 PERCENT , the New Party Nippon 1.4 PERCENT , and the Reform Club 0.1 PERCENT . 18) Exit poll: 30 PERCENT of LDP supporters vote for DPJ ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) August 31, 2009 The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won an overwhelming victory in yesterday's general election. This was primarily because Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) supporters changed their minds. Among LDP supporters, 30 PERCENT cast their votes for the DPJ both in their proportional representation blocs and in their single-seat constituencies. People who previously supported the LDP thought that they wanted to let the DPJ run the government this time around. According to findings from exit polls conducted yesterday across the nation, the proportion of LDP supporters among those who voted was 41 PERCENT at the time of the general election in 2005 when the LDP won an overwhelming victory. In the general election this time, this TOKYO 00001993 012 OF 017 ratio decreased to 37 PERCENT . Meanwhile, the proportion of DPJ supporters increased from 20 PERCENT to 25 PERCENT . Among LDP supporters, those who voted for the LDP in the general election this time accounted for only 54 PERCENT , with 30 PERCENT casting their votes for the DPJ. A similar trend was seen in the nation's single-seat constituencies. Meanwhile, 84 PERCENT of DPJ supporters voted for the DPJ, with only 2 PERCENT casting their votes for the LDP. Among floating voters with no particular affiliation as well, 15 PERCENT voted for the LDP and 53 PERCENT for the DPJ. As seen from these figures, voting behavior was drastically different from the time of the 2005 general election in which the LDP and the DPJ were almost on a par. According to various public opinion surveys, the rate of public support for the DPJ was higher than that for the LDP. Among those who voted in the election, however, the rate of public support for the LDP was higher than that for the DPJ. This result seems unlikely, but it can be explained by the Asahi Shimbun's exit poll of over 170,000 early voters at 858 locations in 273 electoral districts. In this poll, the LDP's support rate was 20 PERCENT , and the DPJ's support rate was as high as 46 PERCENT . This shows that DPJ supporters enthusiastically went to the polls to cast their votes prior to election day. Also in early voting, 54 PERCENT of LDP supporters voted for the LDP in their proportional representation blocs, with 30 PERCENT of them voting for the DPJ. This is similar to the voting behavior of LDP supporters in yesterday's election. 19) A number of challenges facing DPJ, including coalition talks, budget: great number of new faces; Concern about Ozawa-rule ASAHI (Page 2) (Excerpts) August 31, 2009 Executives of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) are overjoyed by their party's victory in the Lower House election. However, there is not much time to fill themselves with deep emotion. The new challenge brought about as a result of the landslide victory is the stabilization of party management. A great number of freshmen were elected this time in reaction to the 2005 postal general election, in which the DPJ suffered a crushing defeat. There has never been such a large number of inexperienced lawmakers before elected to the Diet. As such, a call for Ichiro Ozawa to serve as secretary general has emerged. Since Ozawa has been solely responsible for election campaign measures, including finding freshman candidates, he is more familiar with them. A large number of Ozawa's "children" have become lawmakers, as was the case in the Upper House election in 2007. For this reason, some believe that the party needs Ozawa's leadership. However, if Ozawa comes to hold full powers in managing the party, it could draw criticism that the party has a dual-power structure. The Ozawa group had the largest number of 50 members or so before the election. A certain veteran lawmaker is concerned, "The number of members of the Ozawa group will easily top 150, combining members of both Diet chambers." TOKYO 00001993 013 OF 017 Deputy Secretary General Yoshihiko Noda and some others, who supported Okada in the party presidential election in May, met Okada at a hotel in Tokyo on the afternoon of August 30. According to an informed source, they called on Okada to build a united party to prevent Ozawa-rule from occurring. If the selection of key personnel, including Ozawa, is made first, the party may fall into disarray. Hatoyama during a press conference held in early hours of the 31st announced his plan to put off personnel management, including the selection of key officers, until after Diet nomination for prime minister. He also tried to calm down the situation, saying during a TV program, "I have no intention of giving a free hand to Mr. Ozawa regarding the management of the party." 20) DPJ administration to set sail saddled with many touch issues involving U.S., such as Futenma relocation and SOFA revision NIKKEI (Page 5) (Abridged) August 31, 2009 In running its administration, the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) immediate challenges on the diplomatic front include the country's relationship with the United States. Advocating a close and equal Japan-U.S. alliance, the DPJ has criticized in the past the government's and ruling coalition's policy course as "blindly following the United States." The DPJ administration will set sail weighed down by many tough issues, including the handling of the (Maritime) Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. On Aug. 27 the New York Times carried DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama's contribution saying that the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty will remain as the cornerstone for Japan's foreign policy, indicating that the Japan-U.S. alliance will remain unwavering even after the DPJ takes power. Nevertheless, the U.S. side is concerned mainly about two matters. One is the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan Okinawa Prefecture. The DPJ has until now called for relocating the Futenma base outside the prefecture by reviewing what was agreed upon regarding U.S. force realignment between Tokyo and Washington. With the U.S. side poised not to respond to the calls for relocating Futenma outside Okinawa, bilateral talks are expected to encounter complications. Another matter is a review of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) stipulating the legal status of the U.S. troops in Japan. In its manifesto (campaign pledges for the Aug. 30 Lower House election),the DPJ vowed to bring up a review of the SOFA. As measures against environmental contamination on U.S. bases in Japan, such plans as incorporating in the pact an environmental clause allowing onsite examinations by local governments might emerge. But the United States is reportedly remains cautious about revising the SOFA with Japan in view of a possible impact on pacts with other countries. If Japan insists on a review of the SOFA, the conflict between Japan and the United States over is certain to come to the fore. DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada has indicated that after his party takes power it will give priority for "Prime Minister Yukio TOKYO 00001993 014 OF 017 Hatoyama" to build a relationship of trust with President Barack Obama. During a Japan-U.S. summit expected to take place as early as September, the DPJ might make tremendous efforts to forge a good relationship by abstaining from delving deeper into the tough issues, such as the SOFA. Other tough issues included the handling of the MSDF's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. The DPJ does not intend to extend the mission beyond its expiry next January. If the party decides to terminate the mission, it will likely be pressed to come up with an alternative measure for Afghanistan. In addition, the DPJ's challenges include the question of inspecting cargo ships traveling to and from North Korea and antipiracy measures in waters off Somalia. 21) Responses in foreign countries to switch in power to DPJ in Japan TOKYO SHIMBUN (Page 13) (Full) August 31, 2009 (Nakahiro Iwata, Washington) The international community paid close attention to the outcome of the House of Representatives election yesterday, which set the stage for a historic change of government in Japan with the Democratic Party of Japan's overwhelming victory. It was promptly reported by foreign media. Some countries have placed expectations on a new government led by the DPJ, which places emphasis on East Asia in its foreign policy, while some others have voiced concern about its unknown diplomatic skills. Concerns voiced in U.S. about possible change in Japan's foreign policy The U.S. was showing much higher interest in yesterday's election than past elections in Japan. The media reported frequently on Japanese voters' calls for "change," which had also been advocated by U.S. President Barack Obama. U.S. government officials in charge of Japan policy have focused on the DPJ's proposal for an equal Japan-U.S. alliance. In particular, they have expressed apprehension about the party's call for relocating the Futenma Air Station outside Okinawa Prefecture and its opposition to the Maritime Self-Defense Force's ongoing refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. The refueling operation is part of Japan cooperation in the war on terror in Afghanistan, which the Obama administration has designated as an important task. Having observed the DPJ rewrite its manifesto in response to the U.S. concerns, U.S. government sources have expressed expectations for a change in its policy stance. But Senior Fellow (Sheila) Smith of the Council on Foreign Relations takes the severe view that "it is unfathomably difficult for a political party to truly become a ruling party." DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama contributed an article to the New York Times (Internet edition) on the eve of election day criticizing the U.S.'s market-forces principle and emphasizing the need to build Asia-centric economic and security structures. The Hatoyama article has also fueled concern that Japan might distance itself from the TOKYO 00001993 015 OF 017 U.S. 22) Overseas responses to DPJ victory in Lower House election SANKEI (Page 4) (Excerpts) August 31, 2008 Takashi Arimoto, Washington Regarding the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) victory in the Lower House election, the White House on August 30 released a statement that it is confident that the firm Japan-U.S. alliance and the close relationship between the two countries would continue under the new administration, as well. The statement went on to say that President Obama hopes for close cooperation with the new prime minister. However, many Japan experts are alarmed that the DPJ might come up with policies that could adversely affect the bilateral alliance. Concerning the DPJ's call for equal Japan-U.S. relations, senior fellow Sheila Smith of the Council on Foreign Affairs, a U.S. think tank, said, "Regarding the DPJ's policies, I will closely watch its priority order," while saying, "I am not worried about the words they use." Regarding the party's policy of pulling out of refueling operations in the Indian Ocean, Smith called on the DPJ to release an alternative contribution measure at an early date. Senior fellow Bruce Klinger of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, said, "I am concerned about the impact of (the DPJ-led administration) on Japan-U.S. security cooperation." 23) Can DPJ deliver on its public pledges? ASAHI (Page 4) (Abridged) August 31, 2009 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hotoyama has begun mulling the lineup for his cabinet. The new administration is likely to be launched in mid-September. The question is whether the DPJ can really deliver on its campaign pledges, including revamping the overall budget allocation system, restoring public trust in the pension system, and building an equal Japan-U.S. alliance. Building relations of trust with the United States Security and foreign policies The new Japanese prime minister is expected to make his diplomatic debut at a series of summit-level international conferences to be held in the United States in late September, which will be attended by U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao. On the sidelines of those events, Japan-U.S. and Japan-China bilateral summits are likely to take place. All eyes will be on what message the new Japanese administration sends out to the international community. DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama has repeatedly expressed his desire to build a relationship of trust with President Obama. In its manifesto (campaign pledges for the Aug. 30 Lower House election),the DPJ has vowed to carry out policies that might irritate the United States, such as terminating the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. The DPJ manifesto also advocates "a close and equal Japan-U.S. TOKYO 00001993 016 OF 017 alliance." But some in the U.S. are concerned about exactly what that means. The new Japanese Prime Minister must dispel U.S. concerns at the upcoming Japan-U.S. summit and establish himself as a reliable partner. To coincide with the UN General Assembly to be held in New York, a meeting of the UN High-level Event on Climate Change and a summit meeting on the nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament will be held. Furthermore, a G-20 financial summit will take place in Pittsburgh. These events will all focus on vital international issues in which Japan is expected to play an active role. Japan has had three prime ministers over the last three years after Junichiro Koizumi. The new Japanese Prime Minister must send a strong message to the international community that he is capable of taking leadership in addressing foreign issues. In terms of policy toward Asia, the new administration will also be tested on how it deals with North Korea. The purported Japan-U.S. secret nuclear pact will also be a challenge for the new administration. 24) International community closely watching Hatoyama-led DPJ; U.S. looking forward to closely working with new Japanese Prime Minister, though concerned about security policy ASAHI (Page 5) (Abridged) August 31, 2009 Immediately after a change of government became definite in Japan on August 30, many foreign media outlets reported on it, with the U.S.'s CNN saying, "The Japanese people have opted for change," and Britain's BBC reporting, "The era of the Liberal Democratic Party has now come to an end." Many people in countries with close ties with Japan are taking the news positively as a result reflecting Japan's popular will. At the same time, some are keeping close watch on how a DPJ administration will deal with foreign affairs and handle such sticky issues as history and territorial rows. Hiroshi Ito, Washington On Aug. 30, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs released a statement which said: "The people of Japan have participated in an historic election. As a close friend and ally, the United States awaits the formation of a new Japanese government. (The United States) is confident that the strong U.S.-Japan alliance and close partnership. President Obama looks forward to working closely with the new Japanese Prime Minister on a broad range of global, regional, and bilateral issues." The prevalent view among U.S. government officials and Japan experts is that there will be no fundamental change in bilateral relations even under a DPJ administration. The reason for this view is that the DPJ has announced a plan to continue attaching importance to relations with the United States and also because the U.S. government, too, thinks Japan's cooperation is indispensable in dealing with pressing issues. Nevertheless, the DPJ has referred to some changes to the security policy upheld under the LDP-New Komeito, and this is a matter of concern for the United States. TOKYO 00001993 017 OF 017 In particular, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama expressed a view that the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean should be terminated when its legal basis expires next January. "Afghan policy is a top priority for the Obama administration, and if (Japan terminates its refueling mission), that will significantly disappoint (the Obama administration)," a former U.S. government official said. Another concern for the U.S. government is the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, including the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. The DPJ has indicated that it will review Futenma relocation, with relocation outside the prefecture as one option "If the planned relocation comes to a halt, the plan itself might fall apart," indicated Michael Green, Japan chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. ROOS