(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: November 9, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
In the wake of Romney's defeat and Obama's victory, Japan's prime minister congratulated the president and stressed the importance of the Japan-US alliance for East Asian security and economic recovery. Here's Japanese public broadcaster NHK with more.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: November 7, 2012

Reporter:
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has congratulated the US President and promised his co-operation. The foreign ministry will also welcome Obama's second term. Senior officials expect the US will maintain its international policies, including its focus on Asia. But problems remain in Japan-US ties. There is the stalled plan to relocate the Marine Corps' Futenma Station in Okinawa. The deployment of the US transport aircraft, the Osprey, is another sticking point. Defense officials have yet to convince local populations to accept training flights over their neighborhoods. In Okinawa, people are calling for stronger controls on US troops after the recent sexual assault of a woman by US servicemen.

On the economy, Japanese officials will be preparing a response should the US press Japan into joining free trade talks for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. There may be friction if the US insists Japan drop its tariffs.

But overall, Obama's win should be good for Japan. There's the chance of stronger US ties. With China relations gone sour over the Senkaku conflict, that's sure to be re-assuring.

Jun Oikawa. NHK World, Tokyo.