The LDP is the offshoot of this continuity

Why has the exceptional longevity of the LDP in power

The Japan have experienced a period of intense intellectual boiling, in the 1870s, the path of conservatism has always eventually outweigh the political plan. This was the case in the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution in 1889, but it is even more remarkable in the aftermath of the second world war. Let us remember the context: in 1945, the Communist threat is omnipresent in the region. The United States are therefore an agreement with the Japan: they do not démettront the Emperor, or the elites in place, in exchange for an unwavering alliance of the Japan, which will serve as them giant aircraft carrier in the area. This proved effective in geostrategic terms. But the result for the Japan is that, unlike the Germany, it is still in the 1960s, for example, a Prime Minister who had been Minister of war during the conflict. The LDP is the offshoot of this continuity. The mission he was given was to continue the war, but in another way: by developing the country's economic power. He enrolled in time long conservative history of the modern Japan.

If it is so deeply rooted, how to explain that today seems about to lose the majority

The Japanese are pragmatic conservatives. What they want first and foremost, it is a powerful economy and labour. Today, 70 of young people are educated and more and more difficult to find a job. Some, called "freeters", deliberately renounce hypothetical careers. Others still extend their studies, without guaranteed result. It is a difficult situation for them, but for their parents. They have the feeling that the LDP will no longer know this problem. Instead to focus on this challenge, the latter much focused his speech on foreign policy, stressing the need to find some influence at the international level, including by revising the Constitution maintains so far the army in a strictly defensive role. These préoccupations are little young generations, more conscious of the economic situation. Even the older ones are in the process of pauperization and feel abandoned, especially in rural areas. While it is in the campaigns that the LDP had built its popular roots.

If the opposition of the DPJ joysticks, will things change in depth

Obviously, the change cannot be radical. The true left, that of the Socialists, collapsed after the fall of the Communist bloc. Let us not forget that at the base the DPJ is the result of a split of members of the LDP. It is as if, in the absence of Socialist Party, the UMP is divided into two clans and was pretending to be on opposing sides to continue the part of political tennis! That said, there are actual sensibilities of left within the DPJ, on the economic, environmental and even diplomatic plans (which means taking distances to Washington). And the party is the LDP by the fact that only 6 of its candidates are children of politicians against 30 in the LDP. Therefore this can bring a fresh wind in Japanese politics. As to the capacity for action, it will depend in part of the way in which the DPJ will succeed to act on the administration. It is not a coincidence if the opposition has focused his campaign on this plan: in the archipelago, are senior officials who are in command. Whatever the incantations of the political class.

Would you say that this election reflects a deep malaise in Japanese society

On this plan, the polls are instructive: the Japanese themselves believe not that the DPJ's election brings a real change! This proves that the Japanese company today doubt itself and its ability to influence the course of things. It is obviously linked to the rise in power of China, ten times. It is as if each said in a low voice by the time of the Japan was passed. In this case, elect the DPJ is to say that, before an evil deep, it is no less to try another medication.