Editorial

Ozawa's resignation as leader of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) following the arrest of his secretary over a political donation scandal has been formally accepted, and his successor is due to be chosen on Saturday, but is the party prepared to seriously open up debate based on lessons from the scandal to the public?

Choosing a successor at a time close to the House of Representatives election is important because the choice precedes the election determining the next prime minister. With this in mind, if the DPJ is thinking about settling leadership at an early stage with the aim of sealing up debate within the party, then it lacks awareness regarding the difficult situation it faces.

DPJ Secretary-General Yukio Hatoyama and DPJ deputy leader Katsuya Okada have been touted as possible successors of Ozawa. Candidates who put their names forward in the party leader's election must present their vision for the party, such as providing a manifesto outline.

There had been calls for all party members to participate in the procedures for electing a new leader of the DPJ, but it was decided that votes would be held at a general meeting of party lawmakers from the House of Representatives and House of Councillors, with the successor chosen within the week. It is understandable that the DPJ cannot drag out selection of a leader during the current Diet session. But can the party present the public with debate focusing on getting the DPJ back on its feet after selecting a successor just five days after a resignation announcement from its leader? It is not surprising that doubt and criticism has been emerging from young Diet members.

The tasks of summing up the current "Ozawa system" and disclosing the framework of the DPJ's manifesto ahead of the upcoming Lower House election are vital. Under the leadership of Ozawa, while emphasis was placed on party solidarity and a showdown with the ruling parties in the Diet, the party's policy statements supported by the pillar of its manifesto were not always sufficient. Depending on the result of the Lower House election, the policies announced by the new leader may be connected directly to the policies of a new government administration. The candidates need to approach the party election while holding up a concrete blueprint for when the reins of government are taken over.

A particular point of focus is the DPJ's response to the issue of "politics and money" which formed the background to Ozawa's resignation. The DPJ is debating a total ban on donations from businesses and organizations, but it has reached an obstacle in arranging the timing of such a ban. In addition to providing an evaluation of the "Ozawa issue," candidates must come out with clear guidelines.

Basic policies are also important. The DPJ has stressed that consumption tax should be kept at the current level for the time being, but how does the party plan to finance social security in the future? Candidates for party leader will also likely be under pressure to provide a systematic explanation regarding security polices and the Japan-U.S. alliance, following Ozawa's controversial statement that the seventh fleet was sufficient for the U.S. military's presence in the Far East.

Both Hatoyama and Okada have experience as leaders of the DPJ. When Hatoyama was leader, the party actively pursued debate about constitutional reform. And in the last House of Representatives election Okada suggested using the consumption tax to cover pension benefits, effectively taking the line of a consumption tax hike. Considering these factors, the candidates have a responsibility to explain their policies in concrete terms.

Hope is rising in the DPJ for a counteroffensive in line with Ozawa's resignation announcement. But doesn't the DPJ feel it can regain lost points simply by changing the party's billboard? It is obvious that selecting a leader with such an attitude would only incur further anger from the public.