Toru Hashimoto got a major rise out of voters when he publicly announced that Japan needs a dictator. At 42, Hashimoto serves as the mayor of Osaka after spending three years as the governor of the greater region.
The mayor was careful to point out the fact that he is not condoning a Hitler-esque dictator. Perhaps more importantly, Hasimoto says that wouldn't even be possible because Japan has such a democratic system of checks and balances in place.
Instead, Hashimoto is simply calling attention to the fact that Japan is in dire need of a strong leader in order to truly tackle the “deep-rooted problems of a fast-ageing society.”
Compared to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's plummeting approval ratings, Hashimoto's new party is gaining supporters according to a weekend poll.
According to The Raw Story:
“A lot of ‘floating voters’ who get captivated by the latest flavour could vote for Hashimoto. It’s a way of sticking their finger in the eyes of the established parties,” said Gerry Curtis, a Columbia University political science professor.
Others, though, say Hashimoto may just end up as the latest outsider to fade after a flurry of media and voter attention.
“Even if his party finishes third … if they (the LDP or DPJ) can form a majority without Ishin no Kai, they will,” said Chuo University political science professor Steven Reed.
“There are a lot of policies he is demanding that neither want to swallow.”
Hasimoto hasn't officially declared that he will be running for parliament, but “his party is finalizing its national platform and Hashimoto has made clear that agreement with it will be a litmus test for candidates seeking his backing.”
Literally translated, the name of the group means “Restoration Group” in reference to the historic 1868 Meiji Restoration that began a process of modernization and opened up Japan to the outside world.
The “Restoration Group” aims to reform parliament and demands to have the prime minister directly elected. If Hashimoto has his way, government will scale back in its role to diplomacy, macroeconomic policies, and defense.
Critics worry that his populist, right-leaning views could create an opening for a nationalist resurgence in Japan, a concern that has prompted critics to dub his style 'Hashism.' “
Conversely, his supporters say Hashimoto is Japan's last chance as a risk-taking leader to make quick, rational decisions in Japan's desperate time of need.
Others, however, see chaos at worst and more deadlock at best if Hashimoto’s party and its allies seek a key role in a new ruling bloc while the two biggest parties jostle and maybe even split.
“What we would have to look forward to is a long period of instability and ineffectual government,” Curtis said.
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