Why Abe wins in such a carefree, light-hearted air?

If the election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president is likened to a theatrical performance, "the show has come to an end though the stage curtain is yet to fall." Of the three contenders, Shinzo Abe, the youngest and with the least qualifications and experience, has been elected so smoothly and without a hitch, and has become the youngest LDP president since the end of World War (WW) II in 1945.

Compared with the election of previous LDP presidents, Abe has won the advantages in the fastest tempo. So instead of procedures and outcome of the election, people have interested themselves more in reasons for Abe's success. And they cannot help raising the query: Why Shinzo Abe wins his election in such a carefree, light-hearted air?

His success is, first and foremost, credited to the concentration of power within the LDP. Japan's electoral and political funding systems, shaped in 1990s, have enabled the party chairman to decide whether its LDP dietmen have the power to continue to stand for the election or to involve in the distribution of political funds. In a bid to foil dietmen of opposition factions in the LDP, Junichiro Koizumi in the Japan's general election last year staged a political drama to "perish those who resist him". So factional politics falls apart in LDP and most of the LDP dietmen, out of considerations for their own political life and official career, became submissive and put up with Koizumi's dictatorial style of work.

The second reason for Abe's success is owned to Koizumi's all-out help in getting him promoted. Shinzo Abe has served as deputy chief cabinet secretary from 2000 to 2003 in the Mori and Koizumi's cabinets. And he was appointed to the Secretary General of LDP in 2003. Only senior statesmen could take such a post in the past, and Abe had only served as a dietman for three times, without taking up any post so far as a cabinet minister. In 2005, Abe was appointed as the cabinet secretary of the Koizumi government and, he could serve as the acting prime minister when Koizumi went on overseas trips this year, so that he could "strike a pose" and "warm-up" ready for promotion" on a number of occasions.

The third reason is attributable to Abe's hard-line, unyielding gestures. The move he made during Koizumi's first visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sept. 2002 was the most eye-catching and conspicuous. Afterwards, Japanese-DPRK negotiations on the "Kidnap Issue" was rather tortuous, complicated and full of twists and turns, and Abe stood for tough, resolute talks. "If they (DPRK) do not react sincerely, we must take various (tough) measures into account." Meanwhile, he met with family members involved in the issue for several times and left favorable , deep impression on them.

With regard to the DPRK missile test in July 2006, Abe said openly: "If North Korea conducts nuclear experiments, it will be a serious threat to Japan and the northeast Asian region, North Korea nuclear test would spur Japan to develop its own nuclear deterrent capacity." These remarks of his are so far the most forceful words from the Japanese political circles, which comply with the social atmosphere in Japan to appeal for the rise of "strong men."

The last but not the least reason for the success of Abe comes from the indispensable role played by mass media. Multimedia units in Japan have reported on his high campaign support rate based on opinion polls conducted repeatedly. LDP holds that only its president with good quality making known far and wide can he win the national election for premiership without much difficulty. The election of previous LDP leaders, however, hinged on their seniority in the LDP coupled with strategic, factional manoeuvring from inside the party. So, one of the most salient changes that have occurred in the present political life in Japan is that the promotion of the most ideal LDP candidate is done first, with his good quality making known far and wide, and then ensuing efforts are made to further promotions about him inside the party.

By People's Daily Online