No New Way for Revival

 The second largest party in Japan chose a man who had been called “fundamentalist” by his colleague. Presidential election in Democratic Party of Japan resulted in a narrow victory of former Foreign Minister, Katsuya Okada, over emerging young leader, Goshi Hosono, and a representative of internal leftists, Akira Nagatsuma. While Okada stressed party’s conviction to firmly confront Shinzo Abe administration, it is still unclear whether a lot of unrealistically principle-oriented guys in the party will follow him.

The race was unexpectedly close. Because party leaders in the time of DPJ administration mostly supported, Okada had been supposed to be winning with a great margin. However, that syndicate looked representing old type DPJ and expectation for refreshment went to Hosono. Hosono won over Okada in the first vote, but Okada turned over in the second ballot gaining support from Nagatsuma group that was in the third place in the first vote.

DPJ has been lazy in reconstruction of itself after leaving administration. Party leaders lost their cause to appeal the public. Former Prime Ministers, Naoto Kan and Yoshihiko Noda, firmly shut their mouths and talked nothing about the future of DPJ. Young legislators disappointed to their leadership and started looking for alternative stage they could act. Weakness in implementing the policies they raised in election campaign seriously eroded basis of the party.

The biggest agenda for DPJ is how to get rid of that vicious circle. To achieve that, they need to stop threatening their own leadership. It is possible that Hosono and his colleagues will oppose Okada’s negative attitude on security issues in Abe administration. Some of the members may say they will leave the party, if Okada will not approve importance of new security policy. If Okada approves that opinion, then, legislators in Nagatsuma group will be frustrated with and threatening Okada backed by the power of labor union. Followership matters.

Even though Okada receives cooperation from other groups, it is unclear whether DPJ will regain more public support. Concerning the fact that overall support for Abe administration is based on moderate situation of economy, DPJ needs to show their own alternatives in economic policy. DPJ already have confidence in equal distribution of wealth. It is the most important for them to coordinate growth strategy. Policy package Okada is going to make will be the focus on how DPJ can escape the crisis.