Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima feels what is lacking in politics is patience, both by the Democratic Party of Japan and voters.
"I've only served for 2 1/2 years as governor, but during this period we have already had four prime ministers. In such a short period, how can one prime minister achieve anything?" said Kabashima, who was a highly respected professor of political science at the University of Tokyo before becoming governor in April 2008.
"The DPJ should be more patient and support the same leader for a longer time," he said in a recent interview. "To implement its manifesto, the party should even include a pledge that it will not change its leader for four years. It's important to bring in such stability."