2009 Democratic Party (Japan, 1998) leadership election

Summary

The 13th Democratic Party of Japan leadership election was held on 16 May 2009 after the incumbent party leader Ichirō Ozawa announced that he would resign in early May 2009.[1] Ozawa had been expected to lead the DPJ into a possible election victory over the long-time incumbent Liberal Democratic Party later in 2009, but a corruption scandal had forced him to resign in order to save the party's chances.

2009 Democratic Party (Japan, 1998) leadership election

← 2008 16 May 2009 2010 →
 
Candidate Yukio Hatoyama Katsuya Okada
First round 124 95
Percentage 56.6% 43.4%

Previous President

Ichirō Ozawa

President

Yukio Hatoyama

Possible replacements included the perceived frontrunner Katsuya Okada (known especially for his support of tougher climate policies), current deputy leaders and former leaders Naoto Kan and Yukio Hatoyama, as well as the conservative security policy expert Seiji Maehara.[2][3] Okada (who was seen as a reformer) and Hatoyama (seen as likely to continue Ozawa's policies) officially announced their candidacies on 14 May 2009.[4] According to surveys, Okada was more popular with the voters, while Hatoyama had more support from DPJ lawmakers, who were to make the decision.[5] As predicted, Hatoyama was elected with 124 votes over Okada's 95.[6][7]

Results edit

Candidates Votes
Yukio Hatoyama 124
Katsuya Okada 95
Grand Total 219
  • 1 invalid vote
  • 1 absent

References edit

  1. ^ https://www.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090511-721782.html[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Japan's main opposition to pick new chief on Saturday_English_Xinhua". 24 October 2012. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  3. ^ http://www.thenewsvault.com/cgi/xtra.pl?go=12420440214[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Okada, Hatoyama to run for DPJ chief following Ozawa's resignation - People's Daily Online
  5. ^ Hatoyama, Okada flex muscles ahead of DPJ presidential election - People's Daily Online
  6. ^ Yukio Hatoyama elected president of Japan's opposition - People's Daily Online
  7. ^ BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Japan opposition leader selected