On Oct. 12 and 13, members and associate members of the Social Democratic Party cast ballots to elect a new party leader. This year's election was particularly meaningful because, unlike previous elections for the past 17 years that were uncontested, this year's saw two men face off: SDP policy chief Mr. Tadatomo Yoshida and Tokyo's Toshimi Ward Assembly member Mr. Taiga Ishikawa.
With 71.67 percent of the party's 17,410 members and associate members voting, Mr. Yoshida cruised to victory with 9,986 votes against Mr. Ishikawa's 2,239, and was elected party chief Monday.
Mr. Yoshida's mission is clear but difficult. An Upper House member with just three years' experience, he must rebuild the marginalized party into a viable organization that can once again wield influence in the nation's policymaking process.