Landslide sweeps away Japan's Liberal Democratic Party
Updated
Japan's once invincible Liberal Democratic Party has been swept away in a landslide defeat in the country's national elections.
After more than half-a-century of almost unbroken rule, the LDP has suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan. The Democratic Party won almost two-thirds of the seats in the Japanese parliament, on the promise of 'revolutionary change'.
Presenter: Mark Willacy, North Asia correspondent
Speaker: Taro Aso, Japan's former Prime Minister; Tobias Harris, Tokyo-based political analyst; Yukio Hatoyama, Democratic Party of Japan leader; Shoichi Nakagawa, former Finance minister.
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MARK WILLACY: (Sound of people shouting in unison) This was the charge to victory everyone expected and when it came it swept away one of modern democracy's most successful and ruthless political machines.
(Sound of man shouting and then people cheering in response)
The Liberal Democratic Party has ruled Japan for all but 10 months of the last half-a-century but after this election the conservative LDP is now a shadow of its former self.
(Taro Aso speaking)
"This election result is a very tough one," says the outgoing prime minister Taro Aso. "I think we need to make a fresh start by reflecting on our past conduct. I will resign," he says.
He may be resigning but maybe Mr Aso should also be reflecting on his own past conduct, particularly his unfortunate ability to put his foot in it. Even during the campaign he was criticised for being insensitive after he said poor young people shouldn't get married.
Tobias Harris is a political analyst covering the election in Tokyo. He argues that the gaffe-prone Taro Aso can't wear all the blame for the Liberal Democratic Party's crushing defeat.
TOBIAS HARRIS: After all it wasn't insensitive and unfortunate remarks that buried the LDP. It really was two decades of not addressing the problems that the public wanted addressed and there's really the sense life in Japan has really gotten worse and the LDP either exasperated problems or simply did nothing to stop that decline.
MARK WILLACY: The new Prime Minister is the grandson of the man who helped found the Liberal Democratic Party.
Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama is a member of a blue-blooded political family often called this country's version of the Kennedys.
Mr Hatoyama is promising 'revolutionary change' including a $320 a month child allowance, free high-school education, a higher minimum wage and an end to rule by bureaucrats.
(Yukio Hatoyama speaking)
"I am very thankful," says Mr Hatoyama. "The people have shown they are very angry with the conservative ruling party. We need to create a government that responds to people's needs. So no more rule by bureaucrats. Instead the politicians will take responsibility," he says.
Mr Hatoyama will certainly need to keep his promise of revolutionary change if he is to turn Japan's fortunes around.
The country has a rapidly ageing population, a shrinking workforce, record unemployment and government debt which will soon grow to twice the size of Japan's $6-trillion economy.
Political analyst Tobias Harris says Mr Hatoyama's landslide victory gives his Democratic Party an indisputable mandate to launch his revolution.
TOBIAS HARRIS: Certainly an endorsement of giving another party a chance to put Japan in a new direction. I mean the expectations will be high. They have a massive tailwind going into government.
MARK WILLACY: For the LDP it's time to lick wounds in opposition and rebuild.
But it's lost more than 150 seats. Among the high profile casualties - Shoichi Nakagawa who as Finance Minister fronted up to a press conference in Rome after a rather long lunch and proceeded to stumble and slur through what would be his political eulogy.
(Shoichi Nakagawa speaking)
"I fought hard but I also caused trouble," says Mr Nakagawa. "I failed to measure up to everybody's expectations," he says.
And so too did his Liberal Democratic Party.
It's now up to Yukio Hatoyama to deliver the revolutionary change Japanese voters are so desperately seeking.
