Voters punish Hashimoto

Southeast Asian countries should be grateful to Japan's voters for two reasons. The first and most important is that the high turnout at the polls delivered a verdict that voters no longer have any confidence in their savvy prime minister, Ryutaro Hashimoto. He had to resign. Second, the weakness of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will allow more progressive elements to become part of future coalitions, which should effect fundamental changes in Japan's approach to the region and the world at large.

It is ironic that when Hashimoto took power two and a half years ago he toured Southeast Asia and pledged to do his utmost to help the region through swift political and economic reforms. He resigned yesterday without accomplishing this task. He will be remembered by the region as a recalcitrant prime minister who was not willing to do the right thing, especially when the economic challenges of the past weeks called for bold moves to spur Japan's domestic growth. He cared too much for himself, and the Japanese voters have shown what that think about that.

Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi could be next in line for the top job, although there are other contenders. Obuchi showed some sensitivity and understanding toward the region when he visited Southeast Asia to discuss the financial crisis. With this understanding, Japan's future policy could be more forthcoming under his leadership. In fact, the next Japanese leader could use the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit to reaffirm the country's commitment to global and regional economies when he meets with his counterparts from ASEAN, China and South Korea.

Although the big winners of Sunday's elections were the New Democratic Party and Communist Party, it does not mean that voters chose to actually support their policies. The poll results were simply an expression of outrage against Hashimoto and his party. In fact, the public has been wary of these opposition parties for their inability to work together to move the country ahead. That could change. Japanese politics can be dull and placid, but sometimes with the right touch and personality it can create far-reaching change.

The future of Asian economies and their recovery from the financial meltdown will depend on the action taken by the new Japanese government in the months, if not weeks, to come.

-- The Nation, Bangkok