Public Park Annexed to the Imperial Palace, Tokyo
General Election On December 16
Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Noda promised the president of the major opposition party LDP Mr. Tanigaki on August 8 that if Mr. Tanigaki cooperated with the prime minister to pass a tax rise bill and laws related to social welfare and pension policies he would dissolve the Lower House in near future or as soon as appropriate.
As the LDP lost power in 2009 but is now expected to win a next general election, Mr. Tanigaki accepted this offer. Besides, the LDP also committed itself publicly to reform the national finance and hence increase the consumption tax rate. Accordingly the bills passed the national assembly in August.
But, PM Mr. Noda would not keep his word. Meanwhile, Mr. Tanigaki lost support from LDP members to lose his position as he could not run for the LDP presidential election held in September because of too few supporters for his reelection.
On the other hand, Mr. Noda was reelected in the election of his party the DPJ to choose its new head. So, Lower House lawmaker Mr. Noda could continue his premiership; but he would not dissolve the Lower House that has power to elect the prime minister of Japan. Every survey showed a result that Mr. Noda and the ruling party DPJ would most likely lose the next general election.
But, as the public and the opposition parties blamed Mr. Noda for not fulfilling the promise, the approval rating for PM Mr. Noda plummeted below 20%. So, finally the prime minister announced in a face-to-face discussion with new president of the LDP Mr. Shinzo Abe in the national Diet on Nov. 12 that he would resolve the Lower House on November 16.
Accordingly, the election was formally slated for December 16.
This is the current state of the politics in Japan.
*** *** *** ***
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: