It is hard not to feel a sense of deja vu about the comeback of Mr. Naoto Kan as president of the Democratic Party of Japan, a post he held in 1998-99. In Tuesday's leadership contest, Mr. Kan defeated Mr. Katsuya Okada, the deputy secretary general, by a wide margin, contrary to forecasts. His victory suggests that many DPJ legislators are counting on the popular former health and welfare minister to revive the party's sagging fortunes in the next general election, which may be held next year.
Mr. Okada, an unknown quantity in national politics, has the appeal of a potential leader. Being younger than Mr. Kan, Mr. Okada also meets popular expectations of a generational change in the DPJ leadership. It seems, though, that the risk-averse psychology of election-conscious party members has prevailed against the venturesome mood of Okada supporters, many of them younger legislators who prefer bolder change.
In fact, the vote for Mr. Kan makes sense in view of his wide name recognition as well as his proven leadership qualities. In September's presidential vote, for instance, Mr. Kan came close to beating former party chief Mr. Yukio Hatoyama. But Mr. Kan is not above criticism. As a former president and secretary general, he is blamed partly for Hatoyama's inept handling of party affairs. Moreover, Mr. Kan's return to the helm could delay a leadership transition to younger men like Mr. Okada.