Japan faces more confusion amid leadership vote

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Japan faces more confusion amid leadership vote

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Japan is set to see its sixth prime minister in five years.

28 August,2011 01:25 pm

The five candidates vying to become Japans next prime minister promised on Sunday to resolve the countrys nuclear crisis and revive its battered economy, amid widespread public cynicism about a revolving door of leaders.Japan which is set to see its sixth prime minister in five years has fumbled recently to find leadership to tackle formidable challenges, including recovery from a massive earthquake and tsunami in March and the battle to bring a nuclear power plant sent into meltdown by the disasters under control.Even before the disasters hit, the nation was already ailing with serious problems such as an aging population and stagnant economy.None of the five candidates looking to replace Naoto Kan as prime minister is expected to win the needed majority 200 votes in balloting among legislators in the ruling Democratic Party in the first round of voting, set for Monday. If no one gets a majority, a run-off between the top two candidates would follow.The winner of the Democrats leadership vote is almost certain to become the nations next prime minister because the party controls the lower house of Parliament, which chooses Japans premier.Public interest has been stunningly low, underlining the rampant disenchantment with politics.A debate on Sunday among the candidates was not carried live on any of the major TV networks.In Japan these days, a prime minister who lasts even one year is a miracle, said Minoru Morita, who has written several books on Japanese politics.He predicted more confusion ahead, including the ruling party possibly splitting in coming months.Japanese media reports said on Sunday that Economy Minister Banri Kaieda, 62, had a slight lead over other candidates by securing the backing of the ruling partys behind-the-scenes power broker, Ichiro Ozawa.But that could prove a pitfall in a run-off, as legislators may rally behind a rival to block Ozawas grip on power, according to Morita.Facing off against Kaieda are former foreign minister Seiji Maehara, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Agriculture Minister Michihiko Kano and former Transport Minister Sumio Mabuchi.Maehara, 49, was initially considered the favorite until Kaieda won Ozawas backing.Maehara has technically violated election laws by accepting donations from foreignersa problem that could bring him down if the opposition decides to pursue that in parliament. He stepped down as foreign minister earlier this year over that scandal.Legislators, therefore, may decide to support a relatively safe candidate such as Noda, said Morita.Some lawmakers are extremely afraid of Mr. Ozawas almost dictatorial power, Morita told The Associated Press.Ozawa, 69, a veteran who began in the long-ruling and now opposition Liberal Democratic Party, is notorious for savvily engineering elections, sending novices to parliament, as well as dooming candidates to defeat.