On August 30 2009 the Japanese electric went to the polls and something extraordinary happened. For the first time in the post war era an opposition party won an outright majority in the Diet. (Japan's Lower House of Parliament) Yukio Hatayama the leader of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) became Prime Minister. It was an historic moment in Japanese politics.
The man behind the DPJ's winning election strategy was Ichiro Ozawa its former Secretary General. Similar to the heads of the DNC or the RNC. He was the King Maker. Ozawa was forced to resign as party chair over a political funds scandal which involved the purchase of land to build a dormitory for DPJ lawmakers. Ozawa has been questioned on several occasions by prosecutors in Tokyo but has for now avoided being charged with any wrong doing.
This September the DPJ will hold a leadership election Ichiro Ozawa announced he would challenge Prime Minister Naoto Kan for party leadership. By doing this Ozawa has split the party into almost even factions of support for the two candidates. For historical perspective just ask the Democratic Party in America about the 1980 party primary when Senator Edward Kennedy challenged President Jimmy Carter. It left the party in disarray for 12 years.
Ichiro Ozawa isn't looking out for the best interests of the DPJ or Japan he is looking out for the best interests of Ichiro Ozawa. How would the Japanese people react if Ozawa managed to rest control of party from Naoto Kan and became the next prime Minister? The party its self probably wouldn't survive in its present form and Japan would be stuck with an egotistical, scandal ridden clown as Prime Minister. I'm sure the people just can't wait.
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