Word: ldp
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...After half a century Japan, it seems, is finally clamoring for change. The LDP machine, which lifted Japan from its postwar doldrums, has been unable to deliver the needs of the public for years - some would argue decades. Now, faced with an uncertain future and an economy in crisis, Japan's electorate is expected to call for a shift in direction - and also to say that they have a choice in which party leads their country. "This is the most important election since 1955," says Gerald Curtis, a Japanese politics expert who teaches at Columbia University. "The DPJ will almost...
...stakes over the next two weeks are high. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a long defender of the pre-internet election law that more or less limits campaign materials to postcards, posters and leaflets, is in fierce competition with the major opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Both parties want to attract young voters, who are increasingly seen as crucial in winning this month's polls. Recent polls show the DPJ ahead of the LDP by a margin of about 15 points: 34.6% to 20%, according to Tokyo Shimbun; 32.6% to 16.5%, according to Kyodo News...
...Instead, faced with one of the most heated elections in modern Japan's history, candidates from both parties are forced to get creative. In Hyogo prefecture, Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, a 73-year-old member of the New Komeito Party (the LDP's ruling coalition partner), decided to forgo his usual hairstyle - an old-school side-part - for no part. He also widened his stride, which his staff said would make him appear younger, according to local daily Kobe Shimbun. Other politicians have become more technologically savvy with QR codes on leaflets, so that younger voters can access their candidates' homepages - however...
...LDP bigwigs, facing fresh competition from the DPJ, have also been making appearances back on their home turf. "Big shots are going back to their constituencies for the first time in years - to make a cleaner impression," says Daigo Sato, of dot-jp, a non-profit that places students in Diet internships. Fumio Kyuma, former defense minister and LDP representative of Nagasaki-prefecture, has recently made the rounds in order to secure a 10th term now that he's up against 28-year-old female DPJ candidate Eriko Fukuda. Fukuda not only represents the DPJ in age (on average...
...been comatose for years, are conditions taking shape for its bull to reawaken? I think they are. Consumer confidence in July rose, exceeding expectations, and there's been a sharp acceleration in industrial production. Also, there is an election in another week, and it's pretty clear that the LDP [Japan's ruling party] is going to lose. The new party that's coming in intends to put through programs that will increase the amount of money that the average Japanese [person has], thereby stimulating personal spending. For example, it intends to cut the gasoline tax and eliminate tolls...