(LinkAsia: December 21, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
These days most Japanese are fed up with politics in general. And when elections came around last week, voter turnout was at an all-time low. With its slumping economy, an energy crisis and flaring tensions with China voters were clearly dissatisfied with the DPJ. But the turnout didn't show a great enthusiasm for the LDP either. Japan's public broadcaster NHK reports on why voters have lost faith in their country's politicians.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: December 17, 2012

Reporter:
These angels come out every hour. Prime Ministers in Japan seem to come and go almost every year. The democrats went through three leaders since 2009.

Voter:
I felt betrayed by the democrats over the past three years.

Voter:
I expected a lot from the DPJ, but they broke the promises in their manifesto. Millions of Japanese went to vote on a Sunny and warm winter Sunday. The weather Monday in Tokyo was more of a reflection of the turnout: gloomy. People admit they feel political apathy.

Young Voter:
I didn't go to vote because I didn't feel like it. I had work too.

Young Voter:
Young people think things will change by casting a single vote.

Reporter:
But apathy is not the only reason people feel at a loss. A record number of parties crowded the ballot. It was too much choice for some.

Voter:
So many political parties. I didn't know which one to vote for.

Reporter:
Many people told us they voted for the Liberal Democrats. But not because of the promises the LDP made. They say they are disappointed with the broken promises of the ruling democrats.

Voter:
The DPJ blew themselves up.

Voter:
I didn't think the LDP was the most suitable party to change the situation, but I voted for it out a process of elimination.

Reporter:
And so those who didn't vote are putting their faith in the party that has a checkered past: one marked by scandals. For better or worse Japan appears to be headed for a period of political stability.

(LinkAsia: November 16, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Japanese are going to have a new government by year's end. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced a general election for December 16th. Here's Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: November 14, 2012

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda:
The economy and energy will be part of the focus of the election. Our party will make a manifesto and play our position to voters. I'll explain it to the people after I dissolve the lower house on Friday.

Reporter:
The lead up to the decision played out on Wednesday in the Diet. Noda debated LDP leader Shinzo Abe. The prime minister said he was ready to dissolve the lower house if the LDP committed to reducing the number of seats in the chamber by next year. LDP executives met later and decided to accept Noda's proposal. Officials campaigning for the general election starts on December 4th. Japanese voters head to the polls less than two weeks later.

Woman on the street:
I can't believe they decided to hold an election. I want them to think about alternate people. There isn't any talent among the leaders.

Man on the street:
Lawmakers don't really care about the people. The prime minister changes like a revolving door. It's better to give the younger generation a chance at the leadership.

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Yul Kwon:
Opinion polls reflect that last comment. Noda's Democratic Party of Japan has only about 13 percent support, half of that of the Liberal Democrats. But the eye-catching figure is that fully 45 percent of Japanese say they don't support any party.

(LinkAsia: June 29, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Welcome back to LinkAsia. Japanese leaders are looking into the future and seeing red. The country's national debt is growing, and so is the number of senior citizens who rely on government support. So Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his allies in parliament are trying to shore up the country's finances by doubling the consumption tax and revamping the social security system. Here's the report from NHK.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: June 26, 2012

Reporter:
One bill would increase the tax on goods and services from 5 to 10 percent by 2015. Three hundred and sixty three lawmakers voted in favor of it. Ninety-six voted against it.

Politicians hopes the revenues will help them pay down Japan's substantial debt. They also want to cover the rapid rise in spending on things such as pensions.

The opposition Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito Party voted with the governing coalition, but 57 members of the ruling Democratic Party voted against the consumption tax bill. They include former party leader, Ichiro Ozawa. 16 other DPJ members abstained or were absent.

The set of reforms were sent to the upper house, where they are expected to be passed into law. Prime Minister Noda spoke a few hours after the lower house vote and stressed the significance of the reform bills.

Yoshihiko Noda, Japanese Prime Minister:
There is no time to waste in reforming the social security system. The aim of the plan, comprehensive reforms, is to secure a stable financial source for social security services, and at the same time, improve fiscal health. That stable financial source is the consumption tax.

Yul Kwon:
Pushing through the unpopular consumption tax could cost Noda his political career. And waiting in the wings, if that happens, is Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. He's founded a new party, called the Osaka Restoration Party. And there are rumors that he's hoping to cash in on the public's dissatisfaction with the political establishment.