Japan Policy & Politics: Japanese editorial excerpts

TOKYO, Aug. 9 Kyodo

Selected editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

KOIZUMI GAMBLING WITH FUTURE OF PARTY, NATION (The Daily Yomiuri as translated from the Yomiuri Shimbun)

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi pushed ahead with dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap general election. Votes will be cast on Sept. 11.

Should the LDP shed some of its pre-election strength, Koizumi's chances of being renominated as prime minister would be in jeopardy. Even though the postal privatization bills were imperfect, they were essential for moving the country toward economic and social reforms. Conversely, the dissolution can only delay the realization of Koizumi's long-held wish -- the privatization of Japan Post.

Prime Minister Koizumi -- who concurrently serves as president of the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) -- has said he would ''do away the old LDP'' and pursue his political goals with ''a new LDP.''

A lower house election is an opportunity to choose a government. In this election, the voters' most important job is to decide which party they should grant a mandate, keeping in mind the possibility of a new coalition.

The dissolution has already scrapped many bills, including those on encouraging self-reliance among the physically disabled and others on regulating political funds.

The opposition Democratic Party of Japan, which said it aims to take power, failed to make its presence visible during the last Diet session. The DPJ made no counterproposal to the postal privatization bills there. Out of consideration for the postal workers union, which supports the party, the DPJ insisted on keeping Japan Post a public corporation and postponing a conclusion on the issue. The DPJ did not force the ruling coalition to reject the postal privatization bills. It seems instead to have taken advantage of the LDP's internal strife. How will voters evaluate such a passive stance by the biggest opposition party?

A new Cabinet after the election must be an administration that can deal with outstanding issues. Recognizing this, parties should compete with each other based on their proposed policies in the general election campaign.

(Aug. 12)