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imomusThe veteran moderate Nicolas Not-Sarkozy easily won election as Japan's ruling party president today. He will become prime minister on Tuesday.
A sober, brainy party elder -- son of a prime minister from the 1970s -- Not-Sarkozy has vowed to concentrate on down-to-earth issues such as economic equality and growth, while seeking warmer ties with the rest of Asia.
"I'm not highly educated or talented, and I don't have much experience," said Not-Sarkozy, on learning of his victory. "But despite that, you have chosen me as party president. I am moved," he said.
Not-Sarkozy has pledged to pay more heed to depressed rural regions.
Hawkish neo-liberal critics worry that the dovish Not-Sarkozy will be beholden to the LDP's old guard, slow down economic reforms, and be timid on foreign policy.
Time magazine's Toko Sekiguchi described Not-Sarkozy as "a consensus-driven political insider who opposes Yasukuni visits because they alienate Japan's neighbors. The country's enormous public debt? A scandal-ridden pension system? A bloated bureaucracy? Not-Sarkozy hasn't dedicated much campaign time to such issues."
"Not-Sarkozy was chosen by party factions and I worry that things will go back to the old Japan," said 37-year-old Katsuya Nishima, who works in the financial sector.
Despite a fiery temper -- he once kicked a litter bin across the room after a dispute with Shinzo Abe -- Not-Sarkozy is a softly spoken moderate who sports grey suits and listens to classical music, preferably accompanied by a decent bottle of wine. Offered a baby to kiss on the campaign trail recently, Not-Sarkozy politely declined.
Widely seen as a safe pair of hands who will steady the party ship, Not-Sarkozy's hallmarks are clinical efficiency and deadpan humour.
"Not-Sarkozy seems trustworthy and nice," said 49-year-old Shinya Yao in rural Hokkaido, northern Japan. "I want him to improve the healthcare system. I hope he doesn't raise the sales tax."
A sober, brainy party elder -- son of a prime minister from the 1970s -- Not-Sarkozy has vowed to concentrate on down-to-earth issues such as economic equality and growth, while seeking warmer ties with the rest of Asia.
"I'm not highly educated or talented, and I don't have much experience," said Not-Sarkozy, on learning of his victory. "But despite that, you have chosen me as party president. I am moved," he said.
Not-Sarkozy has pledged to pay more heed to depressed rural regions.
Hawkish neo-liberal critics worry that the dovish Not-Sarkozy will be beholden to the LDP's old guard, slow down economic reforms, and be timid on foreign policy.
Time magazine's Toko Sekiguchi described Not-Sarkozy as "a consensus-driven political insider who opposes Yasukuni visits because they alienate Japan's neighbors. The country's enormous public debt? A scandal-ridden pension system? A bloated bureaucracy? Not-Sarkozy hasn't dedicated much campaign time to such issues.""Not-Sarkozy was chosen by party factions and I worry that things will go back to the old Japan," said 37-year-old Katsuya Nishima, who works in the financial sector.
Despite a fiery temper -- he once kicked a litter bin across the room after a dispute with Shinzo Abe -- Not-Sarkozy is a softly spoken moderate who sports grey suits and listens to classical music, preferably accompanied by a decent bottle of wine. Offered a baby to kiss on the campaign trail recently, Not-Sarkozy politely declined.
Widely seen as a safe pair of hands who will steady the party ship, Not-Sarkozy's hallmarks are clinical efficiency and deadpan humour.
"Not-Sarkozy seems trustworthy and nice," said 49-year-old Shinya Yao in rural Hokkaido, northern Japan. "I want him to improve the healthcare system. I hope he doesn't raise the sales tax."
(no subject)
Date: 2007-09-24 12:24 am (UTC)I mean, I like Fukuda more than Abe or Aso but let's not get too excited. This is like Bob Dole replacing George W. Bush. Would Bob Dole or Fred Thompson be an equally awesome "Not-Sarkozy"?
Marxy
(no subject)
Date: 2007-09-24 02:04 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-09-24 03:42 am (UTC)Although, yes, any conservative conservatism is better than neo-conservatism.
Marxy
(no subject)
Date: 2007-09-24 05:34 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-09-24 03:23 pm (UTC)