As predictions foretold, the Democratic Party of Japan celebrated major victories during an historic Japanese election this past Sunday. The biggest victory went to Yukio Hatoyama, who will be sworn in on September 17.
“This was an election in which people for the first time in the nation’s post-war history opted for a big change,” says Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General, Katsuya Okada.
Indeed, the change is massive. It marks the first time that the Liberal Democratic Party has not been in power since 1955, with the exception of a brief ten-month period.
The Democratic Party of Japan was elected on several key promises. Support for the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) was one promise the DPJ made; they met with Rengo and said they would strive for a fairer society, with a smaller gap between the rich and the poor.
Another goal the DPJ has set is to create 1.8 million new jobs in Japan. They are also hoping to regulate and monitor financial markets between Japan and the international community as well. Strong diplomatic ties with China are another goal.
Better conditions for Japan’s workers have also been promised, as well as a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020–a huge increase over the Liberal Democratic Party’s 8%.
It’s no wonder such an historic victory took place. Displeased with their former leaders, voters have their hopes resting on the new government to create positive change in the country. One survey found that 74% of citizens have “high expectations” for the newly elected leaders of Japan.