Japan’s Democratic Party ousts liberals after five decades

JAPAN’s ruling partyconceded a crushing defeat after 54 years of nearly unbroken rule as voters were poised to hand the opposition a landslide victory in nationwide elections, driven by economic anxiety and a powerful desire for change.

The left-of-centre Democratic Party of Japan was set to win 300 or more of the 480 seats in the lower house of parliament, ousting the Liberal Democrats, who have governed Japan for all but 11 months since 1955, according to exit polls by all major Japanese TV networks.

“These results are very severe,” Prime Minister Taro Aso said in a news conference at party headquarters, conceding his party was headed for a big loss. “There has been a deep dissatisfaction with our party.”

Aso said he would have to accept responsibility for the results, suggesting that he would resign as party president. Other LDP leaders also said they would step down, though official results were not to be released until early today.

The loss by the Liberal Democrats, traditionally a pro-business, conservative party, would open the way for the Democratic Party, headed by Yukio Hatoyama, to replace Aso and establish a new cabinet, possibly within the next few weeks.

The vote was seen as a barometer of frustrations over Japan’s worst economic slump since World War II and a loss of confidence in the ruling Liberal Democrats’ ability to tackle tough problems such as the rising national debt and rapidly ageing population.

The Democrats haveembraced a more populist platform, promising handouts for families with children and farmers and a higher minimum wage.

“The nation is very angry with the ruling party, and we are grateful for their deep support,” Hatoyama said after the polls closed. “We will not be arrogant and we will listen to the people.”

The Democrats have also said they will seek a more independent relationship with Washington, while forging closer ties with Japan’s Asian neighbours, including China. However, Hatoyama, who holds a doctorate in engineering from Stanford University, insists he will not seek dramatic change in foreign policy, saying the US-Japan alliance would “continue to be the cornerstone of Japanese diplomatic policy.”

National broadcaster NHK, using projections based on exit polls of roughly 400,000 voters, said the Democratic Party was set to win 300 seats and the Liberal Democrats only about 100. TV Asahi, another network, said the Democratic Party would win 315 seats, up from the 112 it held before parliament was dissolved in July.

As voting closed last night, officials said turnout was high, despite an approaching typhoon, indicating theintense level of public interest in the hotly contested campaigns.

“We’ve worked so hard to achieve a leadership change and that has now become almost certain thanks to the support of many voters,” said Yoshihiko Noda, asenior member of the DPJ. “We feel a strong sense of responsibility to achieve each of our campaign promises.”

Even before the vote was over, the Democrats pounded the ruling party, claiming it had driven the country into a ditch.