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On August 30, DPJ President Yoshihiko Noda was formally selected as the 95th Prime Minister of Japan by the House of Representatives, obtaining 308 out of a possible 476 votes.
Thirty minutes later, an election was also held in the House of Councillors, and following a run-off vote, Noda was also selected as Prime Minister by the Upper House.
Prior to the convening of the plenary session of the House of Representatives, Noda addressed a meeting of the DPJ caucus in the Lower House, saying, “We face many issues, including recovery and reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake, bringing the nuclear accident under control, the strong yen and anti-deflation measures. I would like to create a united party structure that values the talents of my colleagues, each of whom I regard as indispensible, in order to realise politics that values each individual. I am resolved to make every effort to promote down-to-earth politics.” Noda won some laughs as he continued, “Of course I am nervous about being selected as Prime Minister. It may not look that way, but I am bracing myself for it.” He commented on the fact that there are several Diet members with the surname Noda, saying, “Please don’t get it wrong. I ask for your unanimous support.”
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