Japanese elections

Landmark election set to end conservative rule

Article published on the 2009-08-29 Latest update 2009-08-29 11:28 TU

Yukio Hatoyama - leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, speaking in Sakai on 29 August
(Photo: Reuters)

Voters in Japan are preparing to go to the polls on Sunday, in a landmark election which could see the end of almost half a century of conservative rule. Political leaders are finalising their canvassing and turnout is expected to be high.

Prime Minister Taro Aso’s Liberal Democratic Party has enjoyed almost half a century of uninterrupted rule since its founding in 1955.

“A lot of people would say this is not a moment too soon, the LDP might very well have outlived its usefulness,” says correspondent Julian Ryall. “I think a revolution is exactly the way to describe it,” he added.

Opinion polls in the country predict a shift in power towards the centre-left Democratic Party of Japan, headed by Yukio Hatoyama.

“There are so many things that need to be altered, and rearranged. The Japanese have finally reached the conclusion, that has to be change, and it has to be someone other than then LDP,” Ryall told RFI.

Japanese Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party Taro Aso in Kamakura on 29 August
(Photo: Reuters)

The DPJ could win as many as 300 seats in the 480-seat lower house, according to the Japanese media.

“It is going to take a huge, huge victory in the election on Sunday,” said Ryall.

Hatoyama has been campaigning on a reduction in bureaucracy, improved social welfare and a more proactive foreign policy.

“Hatoyama is slightly different, he doesn’t wear his suit in the same way, he’s got a wife who’s a lot more outspoken,” said Ryall. “He’s definitely his own man.”

Turnout in the election is expected to be high and more than 10 per cent of Japan’s 104 million eligible voters are expected to cast their vote by Saturday.