Privatization of Japan Post was the focal point in the 2005 general election. The 2009 election ended in a lopsided victory for the Democratic Party of Japan and the ouster of the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party. This Dec. 16, voters will go to the polls to cast their judgment on nuclear power in light of the Fukushima meltdown crisis, whether to open up Japan's trade and proceed with the consumption tax hike, among other issues.
Following are key policies pushed by the major parties and their candidates.
All major parties appear to agree to a varying extent that the nation must curb its use of nuclear power, and they also advocate development of reusable and environment-friendly energy.