Yukio Hatoyama
(1947 -) A reserved former academic and LDP defector who earned the nickname “alien” for his distinctive appearance and sometimes other-worldly style
Japan elections
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The Liberal Democratic party that has dominated Japanese politics for more than half a century is now riven by internal feuds and suffered a historic defeat in the general election held on August 30
Hatoyama faces daunting economic in-tray
The new Japanese prime minister faces gross national debt climbing toward 200 per cent of gross domestic product; unemployment at a record high; accelerating deflation; and anaemic exports
LDP seeks moderate road to revival
Japan’s once-mighty Liberal Democratic party chose Sadakazu Tanigaki, a mild-mannered former finance minister, to lead it out of the political wilderness following its defeat at last month’s election
DPJ pressed to sow agricultural seeds of change
The Democratic party of Japan last month bowed to pressure from agricultural interests by ‘clarifying’ manifesto pledges to work for free trade agreements with the US and other nations
US calms fears over DPJ plan
US-Japan relations remain on a ‘very good track’, says a senior US diplomat, playing down concerns that Tokyo’s determinationto pursue a more independent diplomacy might weaken the alliance
Japan cuts Y15,000bn stimulus plan
New ruling Democratic party formally decides to suspend elements of the Y15,000bn package being implemented in the world's second-largest economy
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Taro Aso
(1940 -) The grandson of Shigeru Yoshida, who laid the ground for conservative dominance of Japanese post-war politics, has an elite political and business pedigree
Comment
A steady start for Tokyo’s new rulers
Yukio Hatoyama’s Democrats have barely been in office 24 hours. Yet already they have been painted by some as madcap socialists and by others as merely more of the same. Neither is true
Tokyo’s new-era cabinet relies on old hands
Yukio Hatoyama, Japan’s new prime minister, gives well-experienced politicians key roles as he strives to stabilise a broad and sometimes fractious party
Tokyo veteran spells out need for cuts
Hirohisa Fujii waves aside near-universal expectations that by next week he will again be Japan’s finance minister, reprising a role he first played 16 years ago
Road to nowhere
The DPJ can keep its promise to regional Japan by cutting tolls on the remotest highways; in the cities, it should continue experiments with varying tolls, and maybe raise them at the busy times
A wiser Japan casts its vote without illusions
Hatoyama’s Democrats have responded to the national mood, offering direct support for farmers, poverty alleviation for families, a higher childcare allowance and better worker protection, writes David Pilling
Japan’s continuity we can believe in
The Democrats are unlikely to shake things up hugely. Nor should they. For the story of Japan over the past 20 years is by no means as dismal as much western commentary would have it, writes Gideon Rachman
Japanese in quest for change
Victory for the DPJ will beg two entwined questions: how much change the voters really expect or want; and how much the opposition party will be able to deliver in office
Sun rises on a new era for Japan
Having proved that it can mount a successful campaign, the triumphant Democratic Party of Japan must now go one better: it must show it can govern
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Yen
Since the Japanese finance minister said he didn’t support a “weak yen” a fortnight ago, the currency has surged, driving volatility up about a fifth
Japanese elections
The price of a new government
Japanese elections
Debt is likely to continue growing – although economic demand may not, as baby boomers start retiring and cashing in their savings
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