Japan’s Election Looks Closer Than Usual, but Party in Power Has Hit Snooze
The New York Times
The governing Liberal Democrats are expected to win Sunday, despite having chosen a prime minister, Fumio Kishida, who’s known for his lack of charisma.
TOKYO — Japan has had no shortage of faceless prime ministers over the decades, a revolving door of leaders forgotten nearly as soon as they leave office. The most recent to hit the exit, who himself lasted only a year, was faulted for a communication style that often came across like a cure for insomnia.
Now comes Fumio Kishida, who was chosen as prime minister last month by the governing Liberal Democrats and is hoping to lead the party to victory on Sunday in a closer-than-usual parliamentary election.
In anointing Mr. Kishida, 64, the Liberal Democrats passed over both an outspoken maverick who was popular with the public and a far-right nationalist who would have been Japan’s first female leader.
