People destroy 'Koizumi myth' in three elections -- Akahata editorial, April 30

In the three elections held on April 28 that received nationwide attention, the Liberal Democratic Party and its allies lost two: the Tokushima gubernatorial election and the House of Councilors by-election in Niigata Prefecture.

Public criticism of Koizumi politics was shown in the recent elections: mayoral and gubernatorial elections in Yokohama City and Kyoto Prefecture, in which voters strongly condemned the LDP for its political corruption and easy-going way of selecting a united candidate by ruling-opposition parties excluding the JCP; the birth of a communist mayor in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture which had been "an impregnable fortress for the LDP."

The anti-Koizumi current continued and took place more clearly both in Tokushima and Niigata.

Tokushima's people give a sharp blow

Tokushima's gubernatorial election took place following the arrest of an incumbent governor who had been allegedly involved in a bribery scandal. Ota Tadashi, who was supported by broad sections of the people resolved to cleanse Tokushima's politics, and the JCP, the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party, defeated a candidate backed by the LDP and other parties.

Ota in his public pledge called for, "Elimination of bribery scandals from Tokushima" and "an overall review of major public works projects." Soon after the successful vote counting, Ota announced that he will completely cancel a dam plan on the Yoshino River and freeze major development projects. This means the victory of good judgment of Tokushima citizens.

The victory also reveals the people's stern criticism of the LDP and the Komei Party which for the past three consecutive terms have supported the arrested former governor.

These three elections took place amidst growing public criticism of the Koizumi government and its reluctance to take effective measures against a series of scandals concerning LDP politicians Suzuki Muneo and Kato Koichi, and the revelation of "secret funds" of the Cabinet Secretariat and the Foreign Ministry.

The people are definitely getting angry not only at the never-ending corruption, but also at government plans to adversely revise the medical insurance system and to enact contingency bills and media control bills.

This is reflected in terms of the number of votes cast for each ruling parties-supported candidates. In comparison with the total votes the three government parties (LDP, Komei and Conservative parties) won in last year's Upper House election at proportional representation blocs, they got only 54 percent in Niigata and 85 percent in Wakayama (the House of Representatives by-election for the Wakayama 2nd constituency).

JCP candidates in Niigata and Wakayama prefectures most sharply criticized LDP politics and got more votes and shares of the votes than what the JCP got in the 2001 House of Councilors proportional representation constituency, even though they were defeated.

In Niigata, the JCP's share of the votes was the highest in its record at national elections in the prefecture. An exit poll conducted by mass media showed that the JCP candidate's vote cast by voters who do not support any specific party was the second largest, exceeding an LDP candidate's.

During the election campaigns, the three ruling party heads together called on voters to support their candidate, saying that the elections are the touchstone for the Koizumi Cabinet to show that the people support the "Koizumi reform."

The results of the elections were not what they wanted. The "invincibility myth" based on Prime Minister Koizumi's popularity has collapsed. As he had to avoid issuing a comment, this was a great shock to the ruling camp.

Prime Minister Koizumi grabbed power promising that he will dissolve the LDP. But many people are now aware that he is the most hardheaded guardian of the conservative LDP politics causing political corruption, undermining people's living conditions, threatening peace, and providing cooperation in U.S. wars.

The Koizumi Cabinet is trying to get a breakthrough of the present impasse by enforcing enactment of anti-people bills, but this will only make clear that it has nothing to do with "reform" and deepen the gap between it and the people's interest.

Let's form a trend toward political change

Many people are becoming angry at the Koizumi Cabinet, just as they did a year ago at the then Mori Cabinet.
The three elections show that people throughout the country are seeking to break out of the old-fashioned LDP politics and that a major trend is now being formed toward this goal.

Let's expand public opinion in opposition to the anti-people bills to adversely revise the medical insurance system and deal with emergencies, as they will threaten the people's living and peace. This will help form a major movement throughout Japan calling for true political change. (end)