Yoshihiko Noda

"LandepNews"

Yoshihiko Noda

Democratic Party of Japan has elected the new leader, who will be the next prime minister of Japan after Naoto Kan resigned last week from both offices, in a complicated time for Japan, who has faced this year one of the most important challenges in its post-war existence, and consequently important sebtbacks in economy.

The new leader of DPJ and the man that will become the sixth PM in five years is former finance minister in Naoto Kan’s government, Yoshihiko Noda. Noda, 54, a judo practitioner, is considered by many the choice of peace and stability in this period that follows Kan’s divisive and somewhat erratic government.

Even so, Noda, who advocated the idea of increasing taxes and fiscal responsibility, is received with scepticism by some who don’t necessarily believe that he can address the problems the economy of Japan faces right now both as result of economic crisis and of the March 11 disaster, when Japan was struck by an earthquake, followed by a tsunami and by an explosion at one of the nuclear reactors at Fukushima.

One of the most important topics in the public debate in Japan these days is exactly the possibility of removing completely all nuclear power in the country and using other kinds of energy sources.

Swear-In Ceremony By Imperial Palace

Noda is considered by many as one who will continue the policies he started as a finance minister, and by others as a man capable of pressing forward while having a constructive dialogue with all parts of society.

He is sure to be the choince of the bankers at the Bank of Japan, especially since he pledged to respect its independence, unlike the other candidates who have all demanded that the bank buys more governmental bonds, or even that money be printed in order to recover from the terrible disaster that hit the country a few months ago.

Unlike many other politicians, who are at a second- or third generation of politicians in their family, Noda comes from a families of soldiers. He graduated the Matsushita Institute for Government and Business, an education institution founded by the founder of Panasonic, and intended to breed the political elite of the country.

One of his possible shortcomings is the “public appeal,” Noda himself comparing his appearance to the one of a “loach fish.” Some say this will not serve the country in its diplomatic relations to other countries, others believe the way the PM looks will have no bearing in the representation of the country abroad.

Even though he is not expected to increase in popularity, some Western experts believe that he will command some quiet respect, which is the quality of Japanese politicians after all.

His slogan during this election was “end the politics of resentment,” which is probably going to get him much further than his looks.

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