The tremendous popularity of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi led his Liberal Democratic Party to an overwhelming victory in Sunday's election for the House of Councilors. His dedication to "structural reforms without sacred cows" generated enthusiastic support among voters for Mr. Koizumi and his party, giving the coalition of the LDP, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party a comfortable majority in the Upper House. This will remove a parliamentary obstacle when bills, including those related to reforms, are considered for the final process of Diet deliberations.
The mere change of the man at the helm -- from former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to Mr. Koizumi -- apparently encouraged many voters to stop hesitating to vote for the LDP. Mr. Koizumi's open political style of trying to appeal to the public helped dissipate skepticism about the LDP's lack of transparency -- even if it remains doubtful that LDP decision-making has acquired true transparency.
Specifically, the personal popularity of Mr. Koizumi caused a decisive shift in the voting behavior of unaffiliated voters, who have often played a critical role in influencing the balance of power among political parties. In the past, it has usually been these voters that have upset the balance of power by casting their ballots for opposition or new political parties. This time many unaffiliated voters cast their ballots for Mr. Koizumi's party, with exit surveys showing that support for the LDP from such voters rose from a mere 13 percent three years ago to about 33 percent Sunday.