Daily Yomiuri Online :: Saturday, August 1, 2009

• ELECTION 2009--BATTLE FOR POWER / Aso unveils economy-focused manifesto (Aug.1)
  The Yomiuri Shimbun
  Prime Minister Taro Aso on Friday announced the Liberal Democratic Party's manifesto for the upcoming House of Representatives election, pledging to increase public spending to shore up the economy. continued ...


• ELECTION 2009--BATTLE FOR POWER / Opposition joint pledge to keep sales tax as is (Aug.1)
  The Yomiuri Shimbun
  The Democratic Party of Japan, Social Democratic Party and People's New Party all say they will not raise the consumption tax rate if the parties win the upcoming House of Representatives election, according to a draft of their common policy pledges for the election. continued ...


• ELECTION 2009--BATTLE FOR POWER / DPJ slams LDP's 2005 manifesto shortfalls (Aug.1)
  The Yomiuri Shimbun
  The secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan criticized the Liberal Democratic Party for accomplishing very little in relation to the promises laid out in the LDP's manifesto from the 2005 House of Representatives election, rating the degree of achievement as "20 out of 100." continued ...


• ELECTION 2009--BATTLE FOR POWER / Coalition partners hold key to DPJ policies (Aug.1)
  Yuichi Suzuki and Yoichi Shiraishi / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers
  The House of Representatives election on Aug. 30 will be a battle over who will form the next coalition government--the Liberal Democratic Party or the Democratic Party of Japan--and the makeup of that coalition.
  There are similarities, but also some crucial differences, in policies between the parties likely to make up any coalition. Below is an analysis of the stability of two potential coalitions, based on their manifestos. continued ...


• Briefing didn't stop N-research / Ministry explained watch list, but project with Iranian went on (Aug.1)
  The Yomiuri Shimbun
  A Tohoku University professor continued working on a joint research project with a former student of an Iranian research institute even after the government had explained to the university about a blacklist linking the institute to nuclear weapons research, it was learned Friday. continued ...


• How's life on an MSDF destroyer off Somalia? (Aug.1)
  Tetsuya Mizuno / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
  Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers have been conducting antipiracy operations since March in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia, about 12,000 kilometers from Japan. continued ...


• Commentary :: POLITICAL PULSE / Can manifesto deepen debate? / Meaning of DPJ document may go beyond the pledges it contains (Aug.1)
  Riichiro Maeki
  The Democratic Party of Japan announced its manifesto on Monday for the upcoming House of Representatives election. continued ...


• Editorial :: Responsible party needs responsible policies (Aug.1)
  The Liberal Democratic Party on Friday unveiled its campaign platform for the upcoming House of Representatives election.
  Although the manifesto contained an unusual phrase lauding the party's "ability to govern responsibly," the LDP was at pains to trumpet that it is a responsible political party and spelled out where it differed from the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan.
  However, sections on how the LDP will carry out its policies are riddled with vague explanation. We think the LDP should describe its policies in far more detail during political debates from now on. continued ...