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On March 16, a 4-page feature article on DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, entitled, “The Man Who Wants to Save Japan” was published in a special annual edition of Time magazine issued simultaneously around the world. Copies of the issue sold in Japan featured Ozawa’s picture on the cover. It is extremely unusual for Time to write such a feature article on a Japanese politician from an opposition party.
The feature is based on an interview conducted on March 7 at DPJ Party Headquarters by Time’s International Editor Michael Elliott. Ozawa is introduced as a potential next Prime Minister of Japan, with the caveat that this depends on public opinion and his avoidance of the fallout from on-going politics and money investigations. The article states that if the DPJ is able to gain power at the next general election, this victory would be of “enormous” significance.
In particular, the feature rates Ozawa’s consistent emphasis over many years on the need to transform the Japanese political system from one led by the bureaucracy to one led by politicians themselves. It also praises Ozawa’s analysis of the policies needed to revitalise Japan as “clear”, explaining that he sees reassuring the Japanese people through construction of a safety net as vital, and places the highest priority on guaranteeing people’s livelihoods.
To read the article in full on Time’s website see the following URL: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1884678,00.html
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