The second act was the rapid decline of Prime Minister Mori, a man not fit to be our leader in the first place. Even his fellow LDP members of Parliament say Mori was the last person they wanted to head the government. They call him by many unflattering names. Some say he is a man with a shark’s brain (meaning very small) and a flea’s heart (meaning no guts). Certainly, his mouth is too slippery to hold his tongue. He has made many improper remarks. For example, he called Japan a “divine nation,” causing an uproar in foreign countries sensitive to the country’s imperialist past. Subsequently, Mori’s popularity rating plummeted from 40 percent to 15 percent.
Some of Mori’s cabinet choices were not qualified for their posts. Two ministers have already been forced to resign–including former Chief Cabinet Secretary Hidenao Nakagawa. Still, nothing happened within the LDP. The gang of five continued to support Mori. Then Koichi Kato raised his hand and asked a simple (but impertinent) question. “When a majority of Japanese people are saying ‘No’ to Mori, why don’t we LDP members say ‘No’ too?”
The Japanese public understands Kato’s criticism. Many people consider it quite reasonable. But reason doesn’t always carry the day in Japanese politics, which essentially remains mired in the Byzantine Age. Kato told the media that he was pleased that young politicians have begun to discuss matters more openly. But these young people may soon be under great pressure from their faction elders to shut up. There is no individual democracy in Japanese politics.
Keisei-kai, the LDP’s biggest faction, is flexing its muscles by searching for a new prime minister–one who isn’t Koichi Kato. Kato may have no choice but to create an alliance with opposition parties. When that happens, the question will be how many people will follow him. Kato calls this the beginning of a long drama. From here on, all kinds of conspiracies will take place. Mori’s government might collapse. Kato’s rebellion might be extinguished. Someone else might have the last laugh and profit from this political play. Lots will happen–but there may be little change.
