Ozawa's comeback as DPJ secretary-general worries some

but at least they've demonstrated that Japan has become a healthy democracy, in which voters can kick out a ruling party that's become corrupt and useless.

And vote in another party that's probably going to be corrupt and useless.

I explicitly said I didn't have high hopes for the DPJ. This is due in part to the fact that Ozawa has continued to be influential in the party, which suggests that LDP backroom politics and palliatives rather than cures for economic ills will continue as usual. But let's see what happens after they've actually been sworn in.

Don't know how corrupt Ozawa actually is. However, here are a couple of quick comments:

The hatchet job that the LDP tried to pull earlier this year (with the help of the prosecutors) was really badly done. Having being a former LDP stalwart, Osawa-san knows where many of the LDP's own bodies are buried. After an initial burst of enthusiasm in burying Osawa, the LDP soon realized that if Osawa went down, he would take a number of major LDP politicians with him.

Anybody who has traveled on the Tohoku Bullet Train will know that every small town on the line in Iwate Prefecture (at least the southern part of the prefecture) has its own station. This is thanks to Ozawa, who over the years has been very successful in bringing home the pork.

Ozawa was a member of the last generation of LDP politicians who grew up under Japan's most corrupt politician, Tanaka Kakuei (in recent memory at least), who was the master of backroom politics and skullduggery. Given his recent success, it appears that Osawa's manipulative powers are far in excess of those of his contemporaries, LDP politicians who decided to remain in the LDP rather than leave. Whereas many of his old LDP buddies are now out of a job, despite some heart problems Osawa-san still seems to be going strong.

Finally, I don't know if Osawa-san represents the real power behind the throne. When he was the head of the DPJ, he was never really comfortable in front of the media. His personality (and his background) seem to be much better suited to being a party head-kicker and numbers man, making sure that other party members sign from the same page of the DPJ hymnbook.

Ozawa is a chip off the corrupt LDP old school politics block. appointing him to a position of power does nothing for the DPJ's image as reformers.

I beleive you will be pleasantly surprised. Both Ozawa and Hatoyama are working in the best interests of the people of Japan

yikes. I admire your optimism, going to fall pretty hard though.

but at least they've demonstrated that Japan has become a healthy >democracy, in which voters can kick out a ruling party that's become >corrupt and useless.

And vote in another party that's probably going to be corrupt and useless.

Support Hatoyama and allow him to do his job and I beleive you will be pleasantly surprised. Both Ozawa and Hatoyama are working in the best interests of the people of Japan. Quit screaming before you're hurt!!!

Why is anyone giving Hatoyama and Ozawa credit for defeating the LDP, instead of giving credit where it truly is due... with the bumbling LDP?

Exactly. That's the problem the DPJ has - the public got tired with the LDP, not that they thought the Opposition would necessarily be better.

it should worry all except those he's paid/given a warm spot in his pocket lining. really messed up. usually the backlash happens after a leader takes up his position. with over a week to go hatoyama has pissed off a whole bunch of people

I'm not sure if it's possible for Japanese politics to become any more depressing. Good luck Japan, you're going to need it.

6 months before they implode unless the new PM can take charge. Aso and the LDP may have gotten the idea that Japan wants a stable gov......

No they didn't. I'd hardly call four PMs in four years a sign of a stable government. I don't have especially high hopes for the DPJ, but at least they've demonstrated that Japan has become a healthy democracy, in which voters can kick out a ruling party that's become corrupt and useless.

Ozawa, the construction gangster, is set to pull off more public works projects than ever before in japans history.

Old, rancid, wine repackaged

Why is anyone giving Hatoyama and Ozawa credit for defeating the LDP, instead of giving credit where it truly is due... with the bumbling LDP? In the words of a certain British band, "You do it to yourself, you do"

6 months before they implode unless the new PM can take charge. Aso and the LDP may have gotten the idea that Japan wants a stable gov......

I give them 1 year

wow never saw this one coming...right

Why does the DPJ want to commit suicide before it has even started the work of government?

just like 1993 all over again...........but this time it might last for more than a year, with him running things in the shadows.

oh my goodness! a corrupt, bribe-takin' japanese politician may be in control of the government!? what should we do?! ha ha ha ... how'bout doin' nuffin'?

Putin, Medvedev.

No surprise here.