Hatoyama resigns for being unable to hold his election promise ... how about Hun Xen and his many unfulfilled promises to donor countries?

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has been under pressure after backtracking on a promise to move an unpopular U.S. Marine base from Okinawa Island.

Japan's prime minister announces resignation

June 2, 2010

(CNN) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced Wednesday he will resign after eight months in power.

"I'm going to step down," Hatoyama declared in a live broadcast on Japanese television NHK, while addressing party members of both the upper and lower houses of the Diet, Japan's parliament.

"I have had many shortcomings, I have been allowed to lead all of you for the past eight months to today. I am extremely grateful for having been given this opportunity," he said.

Eight months ago, Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan won a sweeping victory, an outcome hailed by many as a revolution in Japanese politics.

With promises of a cleaner government, Hatoyama worked to shift the political dynamics in Japan by taking away power from the bureaucrats and granting more power to politicians and local governments.

In his first speech as Japan's 92nd prime minister, Hatoyama made promises that he would conduct a clean and transparent government, launching a task force to monitor government spending.

But soon afterwards, allegations of illegal campaign financing tarnished his administration's image. Some of his cabinet members were investigated for corruption.

His approval rating took further hits over his failed promise to move a major U.S. Marine base off Okinawa to ease the burden of the island, which hosts the majority of the United States military presence in Japan. Earlier this month, calling his decision "heartbreaking," he announced that the base would remain on Okinawa, although relocated to a different part of the island.

Hatoyama's critics claimed he gave in to U.S. pressure, and his government coalition broke up.

Hatoyama said that while he did lose public trust, he hopes future generations will remember his legacy.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have often been dubbed as an alien and how I understand this is that I see not current Japan but always try to see future Japan," he said.

"Local government, local communities should be the main actors," said Hatoyama.

"In five or ten years people of Japan will understand what I am talking about."

Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in July.

The DPJ will now elect a new leader of the party -- most likely on Friday -- who will be in line to be the next prime minister of Japan.

Some time early next week, Hatoyama will dissolve his cabinet in the morning and the new party leader will stand for election as new prime minister by both upper and lower houses of parliament.

Hatoyama outlines East Asia bloc

Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

Borrowing from 'yu-ai,' key concepts include regional prosperity, environmental cooperation

SINGAPORE (Kyodo) - Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Sunday highlighted four key areas of cooperation in his concept for an East Asian community — regional prosperity, the environment, protecting human life and maritime safety.

Hatoyama indicated the U.S. is a potential member of his envisaged regional grouping, saying in a speech in Singapore, "The presence of the United States has been playing and will continue to play an important role in ensuring the peace and prosperity of Asia, including Japan."

Hatoyama said Japan will speed up negotiations for economic partnership agreements with South Korea, India and Australia, and study the possibilities of talks with other countries as a means to pursuing prosperity in the region.

Hatoyama proposed expanding maritime cooperation in Southeast Asia, such as antipiracy operations in the Strait of Malacca, to other regions as part of efforts to build a "sea of 'yu-ai' (fraternity)," noting that "most regional commerce depends on sea routes."

"The concept behind my initiative for an East Asian community stems from the philosophy of yu-ai," he said. "Within yu-ai, people respect the freedom and human dignity of others just as they respect their own freedom and human dignity. In other words, yu-ai means not only the independence of people but also their coexistence.

"I set this goal because reconciliation in the real sense of the word is not necessarily believed to have been achieved in the region," said Hatoyama, whose two-month-old government attaches great importance to Asian diplomacy.

"This is the current situation, although more than 60 years have passed since Japan caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly on the people of Asian nations."

Hatoyama expressed hope that developing countries will take advantage of advanced energy-saving technologies, water purification techniques and other environment-focused technologies owned by Japanese companies as they aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while pursuing sustainable growth to achieve a "green Asia."

He stressed that countries need to ensure the success of the key U.N. climate change meeting next month in Copenhagen, where the world will try to strike a deal on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol.

Hatoyama said Japan will make a "proactive contribution" to encourage governments and other institutions to register their human and material assets for disaster relief, which would allow the region to conduct more prompt and effective rescue and relief activities in response to disasters.

Along with the four areas, Hatoyama cited nuclear disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation, urban issues, social security and cultural exchange as potential fields of regional cooperation.

"There may also be an opportunity for us to discuss possible political cooperation in the future," he said.

"It may be possible that countries with the will and the capabilities to cooperate in a particular field may choose to participate in projects initially, and as their efforts bear fruit, other countries could join later."

While welcoming Washington's commitment to Asia as stated in President Barack Obama's speech in Tokyo on Saturday, Hatoyama carefully avoided speaking about Washington becoming a member of his envisaged East Asian community.

As a framework of future regional cooperation, China envisions a grouping of 13 countries — Japan, China and South Korea plus the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations members of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Japan envisages a wider grouping including Australia, India, New Zealand and possibly the United States.

Hun Sen Says Diplomatic Spat Won't Spread: Hun Sen blinks first?

Border not likely to feel Thaksin heat

Cambodian Premier Hun Sen Says Diplomatic Spat Won't Spread

8/11/2009
Bangkok Post

The diplomat spat between Thailand and Cambodia is unlikely to spread to the border, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen predicted yesterday.

Relations between the countries have worsened dramatically as Thailand protests against Cambodia's invitation to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to act as its adviser.

Each country has recalled its ambassadors, and on Thursday Thailand decided to scrap talks on the maritime boundary and joint development of the Gulf of Thailand.

Japan and other Asean members are worried by the potential of the dispute to grow further.

However, Hun Sen, in his first comment on the spat yesterday, said the situation on the border is stable.

"The situation in the border areas is stable although there have been verbal exchanges between the two countries over the past two to three months," Hun Sen was quoted as telling Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in Tokyo yesterday. A Japanese Foreign Ministry official gave the media an account of his comments.

Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, from Phnom Penh on Thursday to protest against Hun Sen's decision to appoint Thaksin as his personal adviser and adviser to the Cambodian government.

Cambodia's ambassador to Thailand returned to her country the next day.

Thaksin's appointment as adviser was made on Oct 27 and announced last Wednesday.

The Thai, Cambodian and Japanese prime ministers attended a summit between Japan and the Mekong countries which ended yesterday. The Thai and Cambodian prime ministers did not have talks. The Japanese prime minister was quoted as saying that Tokyo was concerned about the spat. "I hope the problem improves, as you are important neighbours in the Mekong River region," Mr Hatoyama said.

Mr Hatoyama also met Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who said he wanted to keep the problem from worsening, the official said.

Mr Abhisit reaffirmed the government's intention to seek Thaksin's extradition if he visited Cambodia.

Thaksin was convicted for conflicts of interest in a property deal, but fled abroad while on bail.

"We do not accept the view that this is a political case. Rather, it is a straight-forward application of our laws," Mr Abhisit said. Asked if Bangkok would seal its border with Cambodia, Mr Abhisit replied: "At the moment, we don't have plans to do that."

The conflicts prompted Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan to urge other members to help Cambodia and Thailand settle their differences.

He wrote to all Asean foreign ministers on Friday, saying he had received many expressions of concern by Asean's dialogue partners and friends over the deterioration of relations between Cambodia and Thailand. He said the dispute could undermine the credibility of Asean, ahead of key meetings next week.

'We can't afford to be seen as being so seriously divided prior to the upcoming Apec [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] economic leaders meeting, and the Asean-US leaders meeting in Singapore this month," he said.

Asean members are obliged to offer assistance to help fellow member states settle bilateral disputes. Mr Surin called on the two countries to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that might cause more tension. The Apec summit will take place next Saturday and Sunday, and the summit between Asean and the US next Sunday.

Japan 'concerned' about spat

Nov 7, 2009
AFP

TOKYO - PRIME Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Saturday said Japan was 'concerned' about the recent spat between Cambodia and Thailand over Phnom Penh's job offer to a fugitive former Thai premier, an official said.

'I'm concerned about the recent situation,' Mr Hatoyama told his visiting counterpart Hun Sen at a bilateral meeting, as quoted by a Japanese foreign ministry official.

'I hope the problem between the two countries will improve' as they are important neighbours in the Mekong River region, Mr Hatoyama said.

Mr Hun Sen said 'the situation in border areas is stable although there have been verbal exchanges between the two countries over the past two-to-three months,' according to the Japanese official.

The bilateral meeting came after Japan's summit talks with five Mekong River countries, which also include Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. There was no bilateral talk between Mr Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva the Japanese foreign ministry knows of, the official said.

Mr Hatoyama had a separate meeting later on Saturday with Mr Abhisit, who said he wanted to 'keep the problem from worsening,' the official said.

Japan’s Hatoyama Pledges $5.5 Billion in Aid to Mekong Nations

By Sachiko Sakamaki

Nov. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Japan pledged at least 500 billion yen ($5.5 billion) in aid to five Southeast Asian nations that share the Mekong river over the next three years to spur economic development and fight climate change.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said developing the Mekong region will accelerate economic integration among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Mekong region is “key” to promoting Hatoyama’s idea of an “East Asian Community” modeled on the European Union and that would eventually have a regional currency, according to a Japanese government official who briefed reporters.

The leaders of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar welcomed Japan’s pledge at the first Japan-Mekong summit in Tokyo, the official said.

Attendees included Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, whose countries have recalled their respective ambassadors after Cambodia named fugitive ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra an economic adviser.

Also present were Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Japan is now giving roughly 160-170 billion yen a year to the five countries, the official said.

President Barack Obama, on his first trip to Asia, is scheduled to co-chair with Abhisit a Nov. 15 summit of Southeast Asian leaders that will include Hun Sen.

To contact the reporters on this story: Sachiko Sakamaki in Tokyo at Ssakamaki1@bloomberg.net

Japan seeks closer Southeast Asian ties with Mekong summit

By Miwa Suzuki

TOKYO, Nov 6 (AFP) - Japan from Friday hosts the leaders of Southeast Asia's five Mekong River nations as the world's number two economy looks to deepen ties with the resource-rich region amid growing influence from China.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who has pushed the concept of an EU-style Asian Community since taking office in September, will meet his counterparts from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam for the two-day meeting.

Aside from broad regional issues, the Japanese side also highlighted the significance of Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein visiting, saying it would be a good opportunity for dialogue between the two countries.

Much of the region along the lower stretches of the 4,800-kilometre (2,980-mile) Mekong, which starts in the Himalayas, was long isolated by war and turmoil, and remains poorer than other parts of Southeast Asia.

But development has picked up in recent years, with Japan, China and multilateral lenders bringing aid and infrastructure investment, including a web of highways that now criss-cross the region.

"Narrowing the development gap is quite an important agenda point," said a Japanese foreign ministry official.

"Development of the Mekong region will be an important step towards building an East Asian Community."

Besides roads and other infrastructure, Japan is expected to discuss cooperation in programmes to protect the environment, combat climate change and boost human resources development.

The Nikkei business daily said Hatoyama would pledge 200 billion yen (2.2 billion dollars) in low-interest loans -- mostly to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and primarily for water and waste disposal projects -- over three years.

The summit follows a Mekong foreign ministers' meeting in Cambodia in early October and is the first such meeting between Japan and the five nations, according to the foreign ministry here.

The meeting does not include China, although the Mekong flows through the country, where it is called the Lancang.

China has in recent years stepped up aid and investment in the region, from rubber plantations and mines in landlocked Laos, to trade with the military regime in Myanmar, the country formerly called Burma.

The Japanese ministry official, speaking on condition he not be named, denied that Japan was competing with China for greater influence in the lucrative region of about 220 million people.

"We don't need to compete with others," the official said, arguing that Tokyo and Beijing have "very good relations" when it comes to coordinating policies on the region's development.

But Takashi Inoguchi, an international politics professor at Niigata University, said "the Japanese government thinks it is very important" to foster deeper ties with Southeast Asia in view of China's growing presence.

"The phrase 'big market in Asia' may bring to mind China or India, but growth is gathering momentum in ASEAN nations," he said, refering to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Hatoyama will also have bilateral meetings, including with Thein Sein, who is the first premier from Myanmar to visit Japan since 2003 when his predecessor, Khin Nyunt, attended Japan-ASEAN talks.

The ministry official said the gathering would present "a unique opportunity" for Japan to have high-level talks with Myanmar.

"We need to continue to encourage the Myanmar government to take positive steps in the process of democratisation," he said.

The US administration has recently changed its tough stance towards Myanmar and adopted a policy of engagement, with senior US envoys visiting this week.

"Their approach is now coming closer to Japan's policy direction," which has favoured dialogue, the Japanese official said.

Hatoyama to meet leaders from Mekong countries in Tokyo on Nov 6-7

Tuesday 03rd November
Japan Today

TOKYO — The leaders of Japan and five Mekong-region countries will hold their first summit meeting in Tokyo on Friday and Saturday to help develop the Southeast Asian region further and boost ties between Japan and these countries.

The talks, which will involve Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his counterparts from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, will help realize Hatoyama’s “East Asian community” concept in the long term, a Foreign Ministry official said Monday.

Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy's congratulation letter to Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister-designate of Japan

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

September 9, 2009

Mr. Yukio Hatoyama
President of the Democratic Party of Japan
Prime Minister-designate of Japan
Tokyo

By kindness of

Mr. Masafumi Kuroki
Ambassador of Japan
Embassy of Japan
Phnom Penh

Dear President Hatoyama,

On behalf of the people of Cambodia and on my own behalf, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Prime Minister-designate of Japan following the resounding election victory of the Democratic Party of Japan on August 30, 2009.

I am convinced that under your leadership, and given the noble principles upheld by the DPJ, Japan is opening a new and glorious chapter of her history. This brings about pride and hope not only for the people of Japan but also for the peoples of Asia who look up to Japan as a model of democracy.

The Cambodian people feel very close to the Japanese people on this occasion because the DPJ's historic victory shows to all that democratic change is possible even in a country where entrenched interests are very powerful and the same ruling party has been in power for very long decades.

I would like to seize this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Japanese people for their generosity toward the Cambodian people as evidenced by the continuous and multi-faceted assistance that Cambodia has received from Japan since the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1991.

The Cambodian people are confident that the new Government of Japan under your leadership will continue to help Cambodia in an even more effective way. This means first helping Cambodia to help itself, which implies seriously fighting against corruption, strongly promoting good governance through concrete and effective measures, and really strengthening the democratization process as enshrined in the Paris Peace Accords of which Japan is a key signatory.

I wish you and the DPJ a brilliant success in your historic mission to rejuvenate Japan and to make your beautiful country a beacon of democracy and solidarity for Asia and the whole world.

Respectful regards,

Sam Rainsy, MP
Leader of the Opposition

Japanese in Cambodia Facing New Government

By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
09 September 2009

Japanese diplomats, businessmen and employees congratulated the win of Japan’s opposition in recent elections, which broke half a century of ruling party rule, but some were wary the new party would make many changes.

The Democratic Party of Japan defeated the Liberal Democratic Party in Aug. 30 polls with a landslide win that made it the largest party in the lower house of parliament, with 308 of 480 seats.

Yano Tusi, owner of Ko Ko Ro restaurant in Phnom Penh, laughed happily when he was asked about his new government.

“Before, [the ruling party] worked for the rich people,” he said. “Rich people became richer, poor people became poorer. But now maybe [the opposition] will work for the poor.”

Japan’s next prime minister will be the DPJ’s president, Yuko Hatoyama, who is expected to be formally voted in on Sept. 16 and to name his cabinet in the days that follow.

Hatoyama had a chance to overthrown his strong competitor, the former premier Taro Aso, and the ruling party, because the opposition vowed to recover nearly $98 billion in “wasteful spending” through reductions in civil-servant and personnel costs and the upkeep of government offices over the next four years.

The DPJ also promised free high school education, free highways, a four-year freeze on the consumption tax, which is currently at 5 percent, and the creation of jobs in the private and agricultural sectors.

“I hope it is good,” said Sathol Miura, president of the Japanese Travel Agency APEX, in Phnom Penh. “It will make changes in the economy to create jobs and tourism.”

Japan’s economy has fallen sharply in the last decade, bringing worries that it could lose its place as the second-largest in the world. Many Japanese lost faith in the ruling party after its officials faced internal scandals and failed to expand the job market and national economy.

However, not everyone is convinced the DPJ can turn things around.

“It’s a hard experience to change for the new party,” said Hiroobu Kurata, president of Kurata Pepper. “I can’t say the policy is good. I can only hope that it will be changed, but if they change all the policies, some projects might be broken.”

Yamasaki Yuki, a Japanese-Khmer translator, said she didn’t hold too much hope for the new party, as it contains parts of the old.

“I suspect that it is not so good because the new party and the old one is the same,” she said. “I’m not really satisfied with these two big parties.”

Hatoyoma, 62, finished his PhD in engineering at Stanford University. He was born into a wealthy political family. His grandfather, Ichiro Hatoyama, was the ruling LDP’s first former Japanese prime minister. He began his political career in 1983 with the ruling party and later lead his own party, the DPJ.

Japan is Cambodia’s biggest donor. According to a report provided by the Japanese Embassy, some 830 Japanese nationals now live in the country. They work in tourism, hotels, restaurants, embassies and NGOs. Some are students.

Prime Minister Hun Sen recently congratulated the success of the DPJ and said he expected bilateral relations between the two countries would strengthen.

Japan's Long-Ruling Party Suffers Crushing Defeat in Elections

Aug. 30: Yukio Hatoyama, who leads Japan's main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, smiles inside the party's election center in Tokyo.

Sunday, August 30, 2009
AP

TOKYO — Japan's ruling party conceded a crushing defeat Sunday after 54 years of nearly unbroken rule as voters were poised to hand the opposition a landslide victory in nationwide elections, driven by economic anxiety and a powerful desire for change.

The left-of-center Democratic Party of Japan was set to win 300 or more of the 480 seats in the lower house of parliament, ousting the Liberal Democrats, who have governed Japan for all but 11 months since 1955, according to exit polls by all major Japanese TV networks.

"These results are very severe," Prime Minister Taro Aso said in a news conference at party headquarters, conceding his party was headed for a big loss. "There has been a deep dissatisfaction with our party."

Aso said he would have to accept responsibility for the results, suggesting that he would resign as party president. Other LDP leaders also said they would step down, though official results were not to be released until early Monday morning.

The loss by the Liberal Democrats — traditionally a pro-business, conservative party — would open the way for the Democratic Party, headed by Yukio Hatoyama, to replace Aso and establish a new Cabinet, possibly within the next few weeks.

The vote was seen as a barometer of frustrations over Japan's worst economic slump since World War II and a loss of confidence in the ruling Liberal Democrats' ability to tackle tough problems such as the rising national debt and rapidly aging population.

The Democrats have embraced a more populist platform, promising handouts for families with children and farmers, a higher minimum wage, and to rebuild the economy.

"The nation is very angry with the ruling party, and we are grateful for their deep support," Hatoyama said after the polls closed. "We will not be arrogant and we will listen to the people."

The Democrats have also said they will seek a more independent relationship with Washington, while forging closer ties with Japan's Asian neighbors, including China. But Hatoyama, who holds a doctorate in engineering from Stanford University, insists he will not seek dramatic change in Japan's foreign policy, saying the U.S.-Japan alliance would "continue to be the cornerstone of Japanese diplomatic policy."

National broadcaster NHK, using projections based on exit polls of roughly 400,000 voters, said the Democratic Party was set to win 300 seats and the Liberal Democrats only about 100 — a third of its strength before the vote.

TV Asahi, another major network, said the Democratic Party would win 315 seats, up from the 112 seats it held before parliament was dissolved in July.

As voting closed Sunday night, officials said turnout was high, despite an approaching typhoon, indicating the intense level of public interest in the hotly contested campaigns.

Even before the vote was over, the Democrats pounded the ruling party for driving the country into a ditch.

Japan's unemployment has spiked to record 5.7 percent while deflation has intensified and families have cut spending because they are insecure about the future.

Making the situation more dire is Japan's aging demographic — which means more people are on pensions and there is a shrinking pool of taxpayers to support them and other government programs.

Many voters said that although the Democrats are largely untested in power and doubts remain about whether they will be able to deliver on their promises, the country needs a change.

"We don't know if the Democrats can really make a difference, but we want to give them a chance," Junko Shinoda, 59, a government employee, said after voting at a crowded polling center in downtown Tokyo.

The Democratic Party would only need to win a simple majority of 241 seats in the lower house to assure that it can name the next prime minister. The 300-plus level would allow it and its two smaller allies the two-thirds majority they need in the lower house to pass bills.

Having the Democrats in power would smooth policy debates in parliament, which has been deadlocked since the Democrats and their allies took over the less powerful upper house in 2007.

To ease parenting costs and encourage more women to have babies, the Democrats propose giving families 26,000 yen ($275) a month per child through junior high. Japan's population of 127.6 millionpeaked in 2006, and is expected to decline to 115 million in 2030 and fall below 100 million by the middle of the century.

The party is also proposing toll-free highways, free high schools, income support for farmers, monthly allowances for job seekers in training, a higher minimum wage and tax cuts. The estimated bill comes to 16.8 trillion yen ($179 billion) if fully implemented starting in fiscal year 2013 — and critics say the plans would further bloat Japan's massive public debt.

The Democrats will likely face resistance from Japan's powerful bureaucrats, who favor the status quo and hold a great deal of influence in shaping policy.

Aso — whose own support ratings have sagged to a dismal 20 percent — repeatedly stressed his party led Japan's rise from the ashes of World War II into one of the world's biggest economic powers and are best equipped to get it out of its current morass.

In the end, voter worries about the economy and disenchantment with the LDP's long grip on power proved too much to overcome.

"It's revolutionary," said Tomoaki Iwai, a political science professor at Tokyo's Nihon University. "It's the first real change of government" Japan has had in six decades.

Japan Poised for Historic Political Shift in Predicted Election Landslide

Yukio Hatoyama, left, greets supporters during a Parliament's lower house election campaign in Tokyo, 23 Aug 2009

By Kurt Achin, VOA
Tokyo
28 August 2009

More than half a century of all but uncontested political leadership in Japan appears set to end this weekend, as voters elect new parliamentary representatives. Polls indicate a center-left party is set to topple conservatives who are viewed by many as out of touch with the average Japanese family. The election may recast how Japan views itself and its relations with the international community.

Just days before the election, polls continue to support the widely held belief that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso will experience a crushing defeat in Sunday's vote for the lower house of the country's parliament.

One major late-week poll indicated at least twice as many voters would cast ballots for the Democratic Party of Japan, led by the country's likely next Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama.

At recent rallies, Hatoyama told supporters, the day has come to change the history of Japan. He calls on them to step into the new era with courage.

480 lower house seats are at stake in Sunday's vote. Some political experts have predicted the DPJ may capture as many as 300 of those, giving it a resounding mandate in both the upper and lower house. The LDP has controlled Japan's parliament almost without interruption for 55 years.

Jeffrey Kingston, Director Of Asian Studies at Japan's Temple University, says the DPJ lead does not indicate the party has swept voters off their feet.

"Clearly this is not a vote for the DPJ," he said. "It's a vote against the LDP. People are fed up."

The ruling LDP enraged Japanese voters last year when it announced it had "misplaced" the pension records of millions of aging voters. Kingston says the public also blames the LDP for Japan's economic hardship.

"People have seen the misery index soar out of control over the past ten months," he said. "Unemployment is up, foreclosures and bankruptcies are up, suicides are up-- and wages, bonuses, and job security are down. So there's nothing to like about this scenario."

The DPJ's Hatoyama has promised to overhaul the entire social contract in Japan - promising government financial support for child care and the elderly, while stripping power from the country's entrenched bureaucracy. He has also signalled that he will re-examine Japan's role in the international community.

Taniguchi Tomohiko is a professor at Japan's Meiji University and an advisor to the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo. He says the DPJ is likely to shift Japan's regional focus.

"They [DPJ] are openly arguing that given where Japan is, Japan should cut a good balance between its time-honored alliance with the United States, and its growing importance of having a good relationship with China," said Tomohiko. "By so saying, it is obvious that [the] Democrats are leaning slightly toward China and distancing little from the United States."

Taniguchi says the DPJ has sent some mixed signals about how it will deal with the approximately 50,000 U.S. forces stationed in Japan.

"They're saying that the U.S. military should be reduced, in terms of its footprint, from Japan and the next day they will say no significant change could happen even if we are in office," he said. "So, objectively speaking, many people should be scratching their heads."

A DPJ government is expect to maintain a firm policy line on North Korea - viewed by many Japanese as a direct threat.