It's almost a year ago to the day when Mr.Fukuda stepped down as leader of the LDP and therefore Prime Minister of Japan. Today it was the turn of Mr.Aso to step down as leader of the party, the difference this time was that he wasn't the Prime Minister anymore. His party was well and truly battered in yesterday's election by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)
What this means for Japan is difficult to say, the DPJ made many promises during the campaigning but whether they can actually deliver remains to be seen. (Personally I'm looking forward to the 26,000 yen monthly allowance for each child, I've got three!) What is true is that the LDP's stranglehold on power has been broken after over 50 years in power, not strictly true as in the mid-nineties a socialist alliance won an election but as the factions bickered and changed allegiances it was all over after a year. This time the consensus seems to be that the DPJ can hold itself together to make some real (and badly) needed reforms to the system.
Not quite the thrill of Labour gaining election victory in 1997 but still refreshing to see Japan waking up to a two party system after all this time.
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