Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda was reelected as head of the Democratic Party of Japan on Sept. 21 with an overwhelming win over three other candidates. On Monday, he reogranized the party's leadership His most important task now should be to consolidate his party, which has suffered the departure of many of its Diet members opposed to his consumption tax rate hike plan
Mr. Noda should provide a clear direction that distinguishes the DPJ policywise from the No. 1 opposition Liberal Democratic Party, and the Japan Restoration Party, a new national party headed by Osaka City Mayor Toru Hashimoto. The latter is gaining popularity among people who want a third party choice amid feelings of economic, social and diplomatic helplessness.
For Mr. Noda, fulfilling the task is all the more important because Lower House elections must be held within a year. He must reinvigorate the party's guiding principles and work out concrete policies to pull the nation out of its current malaise.