The link wasn’t expired, it just had a <br /> tag stuck to the end, which messed it up. It’s here:

http://www.japannewsreview.com/politics/politics/20070730page_id=1186

You’re certainly right about North Korea. That issue brought Mr Abe to power, and it did not register anywhere in what the voters were worried about going into this election.

In a sense, I see that as the difference between Abe and Bush. Bush has Karl Rove, who would have insured that something like the abduction issue would flare up in the days leading to the election, that scandals related to DPJ lawmakers would have been all over the news, and that the DPJ would have been blamed for the pension fiasco.

The LDP tried the last one I mentioned, but failed. They just showed no political skill, and Abe has proven time and time again that he is just a coddled amateur surrounded by a barely-competent team.

As for the DPJ, I agree with the FT when it says: “Mr Abe and the LDP deserved to lose this weekend’s upper house election. The problem for Japan is that Mr Ozawa and the DPJ did not deserve to win”. Anyway, as we say here, “something” is better than “nothing”.

If Ozawa manages to make enough pressure to force a lower house dissolution and a snap election, how soon can this be? Will the LDP allow it? And, though this is not that important, will the JCP join the future DPJ-led ruling coalition, despite criticizing it because of its “ambiguity” referring issues as constitutional reform?

North Korea though still a major issue isn’t as pressing as internal conflicts at the moment. That’s a problem for Abe because even in his first speech in the diet, his national policies were a bit vague except his stand on the DPRK and the hostage situation. He was pretty spot on with that.

The issue here, at least in my mind, is that Abe is faced with growing resentment because he is perceived as not being someone who can control his own party members. I think his loyalty is very admirable, but to save himself he is either going to learn to have to make the tough decisions and remove people that are not fit or that make the mistakes as we’ve seen.
If he doesn’t, he’s going to be out of a job. I think its basically that simple for him.

The LDP hinges on his actions. And I’m sure Ozawa and company are hoping Abe stays on.

Interesting how George Bush and Shinzo Abe both are loyal to a fault in these circumstances.

Back in May, an Asahi poll showed a small majority in favor of some kind of constitutional reform, but over 80% of those wanting administrative or spending reforms, not reform of Article 9, which drew considerably less support. Majorities in other polls have said they did not support Abe’s “Beautiful Country, Japan” platform.

I would wholeheartedly agree, that Abe’s main problem seems to be inaction, or at least the perception of a feeble kind of lethargy. He doesn’t do much and then vows to start working for things people don’t want.

A huge majority of respondents to pre-election poll said they wanted drastic change in the government, which would show that it is not Abe or his plans that they want.

Check out the Washington post … or see my blog for the link.

Kyodo has also posted something.

“Abe lost because of the scandals, not because of policy”
(scroll down a bit for the comment made by a 30something housewife)