DPJ's show of vitality
(From The Japan Times July 28 issue)

民主党代表戦で党の活力を示せ

The Democratic Party of Japan has set Sept. 8 as the date for accepting candidates in the election for its next party chief. The vote will take place Sept. 21. The likelihood that Mr. Ichiro Ozawa will continue to lead the party is strong. Still, other DPJ politicians besides Mr. Ozawa should run in the election even if their prospects of winning do not appear good. DPJ politicians should realize that the election campaign plays an important role in deepening discussions among party members on policy matters and in rousing people's interest in the party.

The coming election for the new DPJ chief is significant because a DPJ victory in the next general election would make the new party chief prime minister.

Mr. Ozawa was the driving force that led the DPJ to an overwhelming victory in the Upper House election in July 2007. Many DPJ members appreciate his political ability, especially his ability to lead the party to election victories, although some DPJ members do not like his political style and are critical of some of his policy proposals.

For example, some voices within the party say Mr. Ozawa's proposals to beef up child-support allowances, and pay individual farmers the difference between the production cost of main crops and the import prices of such crops are untenable because the tax revenues to finance them are insufficient. There is also criticism of Ozawa's security policy.

There are worries within the party that if more than one candidate runs for party chief, it may cause a schism in the party. But if it cannot unite after a party chief election, the party does not deserve to be regarded as a political party that operates under democratic principles. The party should utilize policy discussions among candidates as an opportunity to polish its party's election platform, and make them feasible and convincing.

Leaders of the DPJ should realize that the election of Mr. Ozawa as party chief without a vote will give people the impression that the party lacks energy and vitality as a political party, thus weakening its chance of becoming a governing party.

民主党は9月8日告示一同21日投票という日程で代表戦を実施する。小沢一郎代表3選の可能性は高いが、党内で政策論争を展開し、国民の関心を高めるために、他の候補者にも参戦してもらいたい。

民主党が次の総選挙で政権をとればその代表が首相となる意味で、代表戦の重要性は大きい。

昨夏の参院選圧勝を導いた小沢氏の政治手腕への評価は高いが、彼の政治手法や政策を批判する声もある。

複数候補による選挙は党内に亀裂を生じるとの懸念もあるが、選挙戦後にその代表の下に団結できないようなら民主主義の政党ではない。政策論争は公約を磨く機会とみなすべきだ。

小沢氏の無投票3戦は、活力に欠けた政党という印象を残し、民主党が与党となるチャンスは失われることを民主党幹部は認識すべきだ。