Opinion

Can the DPJ lead?

By Scott T. Hards

Over the last few weeks, I've been pounding my head against the wall. You see, although I admire Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, I consider myself a supporter of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).

As a newer party, the DPJ isn't burdened by as many entrenched interests, which sometimes prevent the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from doing What it really should. Their "manifesto," released before the last election, was also a step in the right direction, too. And though perhaps a minor issue for readers here, the DPJ has shown serious interest in issues related to foreigners in Japan.

Hence my frustration watching Naoto Kan and Ichiro Ozawa foolishly self-destruct in May over the issue of their payments (or lack thereof) to the national pension system. Now, I have to ask myself if the party is truly capable of leading the nation.

First, Kan committed a huge blunder by attacking the Koizumi administration for a problem shared by himself and many others within his party. So he resigned, and everybody assumed that Ozawa would take over. But no! He declined, saying he would not be "appropriate" because he hadn't made pension payments during a time when there was no requirement for him to do so. What? Despite no wrongdoing on his part, he disqualified himself? Frankly, I think either he never wanted to lead the DPJ, or he was attempting to put pressure on Koizumi to quit, since the prime minister was in the same situation with his payments.

If the former, then Ozawa certainly doesn't belong in any leadership position within the party. If the latter, it was a stupid miscalculation, as it had no effect on Koizumi's rock-solid support. After all, more people are not making their national pension payments (about 38%) than support the DJP (about 10%) to begin with! One would normally expect more saｖｖy from somebody with as much experience in the LDP as Ozawa.

So that leaves Katsuya Okada to run the show. He certainly seems youthful and smart, but is lacking the charisma that Kan exudes. Can he lead the DPJ to actually take control of the Diet from the LDP? If Okada hopes to accomplish this, I have a few suggestions for him:

Don't be afraid to agree. Sometimes the government is right. Just mouthing opposition because it wasn't your idea puts the DPJ in the same league with the Socialists and Communists - meaningless, noise-making side shows.

Stop telling me why I should hate the LDP. Instead, tell me why I should love you. Perpetual negativism, that is, criticism of others without offering an attractive alternative will turn off voters in the long run. That's the reason many, including myself, are tired of Makiko Tanaka. Never a nice thing to say.

Get Kan and Ozawa back in front of the cameras. The public is not as upset over pension payments as you think! Those two are far and away the best-known and respected members you have. Well-known supporting actors (like Shinzo Abe) are key to garnering broad support.

But what do I know? I'm just a member of the public. Whether the rest of us think the DPJ can lead will be clear after the upcoming House of Councilors elections.

Shukan ST: June 11, 2004

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