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Koizumi Countering Challenge From Within
November 26, 2001
Summary
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is facing organized opposition to his economic reform program from within his own Liberal Democratic Party. Last week 55 LDP lawmakers launched an organization to present their own reform ideas to the government. But rather than see his position in the party weakened, Koizumi may be using the challenge to consolidate his control over the ruling party and its agenda.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Analysis
Fifty-five lawmakers from Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party launched an organization Nov. 16 to challenge the economic reform programs of Junichiro Koizumi, the country's prime minister and president of the LDP. The "Alliance to Save Japan," which drew members from several factions of the ruling party, will present its own proposal for the reform of public corporations to the government at the end of the year.
The emergence of organized opposition from within his own party is presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for Koizumi, who remains highly popular in Japan. The prime minister is apparently willing to give ground on some policy aspects to appease some of the counter-reform elements in the party. At the same time, he is pressing forward with other plans that weaken the power of LDP stalwarts, increase his control over the party and bolster his credibility as a reformer.
Koizumi rose to power by portraying himself as a radical reformer, someone willing to tackle Japan's economic malaise and entrenched party politics head on. Following on the heels of the unpopular Yoshiro Mori and uncharismatic Keizo Obuchi, Koizumi seemed all the more inspiring to a Japanese public coming to grips with grim economic realities.
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(Story Source)
(c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Koizumi Countering Challenge From Within . . .