Ever since the Democratic Party of Japan came to power in September 2009, the DPJ administrations have turned out unexpectedly unpopular.

There is no doubt that this is due in part to unfortunate events on diplomatic and security fronts. But why has the rate of approval plummeted so fast for the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan and the DPJ? I will seek to identify some of the fundamental causes.

In his first policy speech since assuming office, delivered before the Diet on June 11, Prime Minister Kan said: "The third policy challenge is that foreign policy and national security policy will be grounded on responsibility.