I really don't know who to vote for. I voted for the DPJ in the last election, but they couldn't seem to get things done. I don't really want to go back to the LDP, either. We want a strong leader who

Hello the third way party . . .

A+ for realizing the politicians are pathetic. D- for not calling out the bureaucracy for being the root of the problem.

I like his name. Like a Japanese Joe the Plumber.

Well, Suzuki san, I'm afraid you're out of luck at this time, unless you want to vote for Ishihara's party. Ishihara won't bend his principles, though his principles are not especially desirable for Japan.

We want a strong leader who won't bend his principles.

That presumes those running for PM actually have "principles". I see no evidence of that.

Dear Taxi-Driver,

as you are one of the rare people who actually do wake up a little and realize what seems to be going on in the real world, here is some help, or at least some information for you:

A democracy is a place where manipulation and conditioning forms the majority voters in a way, that will make them elect what others want them to. If it were any other way, for example, if elections could change things, then they would of course be illegal. What you have nowadays is no longer called democracy, it is called Post-Democracy. Called so after a book by that name that Colin Crouch wrote in 2006. Check it out in Wikipedia, this is now taught at european universities.

As a result of this change, or if you have looked closely at the US election, the only thing you can do nowadays in an election, is to vote for the lesser evil. If this is enough for you, then do so. If not then turn your back, refuse to legitimize the system with your vote, keep your eyes open, take your life in your own hands and thus avoid the worst of will be coming

Or, of course, do as most japanese sheep, ehhhhh... sorry I meant "people" do, go ahead and do what you have done so far.

So, Good Luck to you, you will need it, Volland