Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi won a decisive majority on the first ballot in Saturday's presidential election of the Liberal Democratic Party, beating his three rivals by a wide margin. He owes his first-round victory largely to the backing he received from many members of anti-Koizumi factions. A combination of factors, including Mr. Koizumi's high popularity and an approaching general election, prompted them to jump on the bandwagon.
The fact that he enjoyed support from across the factional lines is a good omen for the LDP -- and the nation. A faction's size no longer counts as much as it did before. Nor does it mean much to local politicians or industry lobbies. Gone is old-time faction-based politics. This should make the LDP more open and, as Mr. Koizumi said in his victory speech, more attuned to public expectations.
In terms of policy, Mr. Koizumi's re-election as LDP president means his reform agenda has received a fresh mandate from his party. During the campaign he said he will "transform the LDP into a reform-oriented party." The challenge ahead is to translate that pledge into action with determination.