(Prime Minister Junichiro) Koizumi's Liberal Democratic Party focused on a single issue of pros and cons regarding postal privatization--and the voters' attention was diverted to it. |
Despite running our campaign with our priority on manifestoes and policies, we failed to secure support from the voters, |
For the first time in the postwar period we will openly go head-to-head in elections and we aim ... to take power. The moment is coming when Japan's democracy will be tested. |
For those who think the current pension system isn't working, we want you to vote for the Democratic Party and let us carry through pension reforms under a Democratic administration. |
I did what I had to do, but it was frustrating that we were never really arguing on the same plane. I wanted to debate policy. |
I don't believe that the people are naive enough to accept the prime minister's assertion that foreign affairs and other issues will be resolved if the postal services are privatized. |
I firmly believe our stance to focus on our policies was not wrong. Our message did not reach people. I regret that. |
I resign from the head of the party. I would like the party to select a new leader without any delay. Our message did not reach people. I regret that. |
I think our party members staked (the party's future) on the Maehara's youth and ability ... It is utterly necessary for each DPJ lawmaker and other rank-and-file members to back the new leader and stick together. |
If you make your voting decision based only on the postal privatization, it would mean (Koizumi) would exploit it and would say the public entrusted him with all other decisions as well. |
In elections, you can't tell the outcome until you open the ballot boxes. |
In his four years and four months in power, Koizumi was unable to carry out reform. In order to carry out true reform, there has to be a change in government. We are not fettered to past practices. Please let us handle the government. |
Japan faces problems of decreasing population, an aging society and increasing national debts. Mr. Koizumi sounds as if life will be all rosy if the postal service is privatized, but no one takes what he says seriously. |
Koizumi always says the same thing. Nearly 90 percent of his speech is about postal privatization issues. This election will decide the next three to four years of Japan's future, and important issues should be thoroughly discussed. |
Koizumi says postal privatization is the focus of the elections. Is that so? I say definitely no! |