Posts Tagged ‘LDP’

LDP tries to win back voters by turning politicians into tour guides

An NTV news report about LDP politician Shinjiro Koizumi (“Koizumi Junior”) trying to improve the image of his party by giving a tour of the naval base in his home district:

Some 50 participants, selected from about 5,200 applicants, went to the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Yokosuka base where they were expected to tour an escort ship, enjoy the MSDF’s specialty dish of “kaigun (navy) curry” and talk with Koizumi.

Since winning his father’s seat in the Kanagawa No. 11 district in the House of Representatives election in late August, Koizumi has been popular, particularly among young people.

NTV contrasts Koizumi’s popularity with that of LDP president Sadakazu Tanigaki, whom many have criticized for his lack of aggressive leadership. Whereas Koizumi draws excited crowds, Tanigaki is uninspiring and uncharismatic – so much so that people can’t even seem to remember his name!

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The worst political commercial ever?

Yesterday, I posted examples of commercials Japan’s two major political parties are airing on TV to convince voters to head to the ballot boxes for this weekend’s general election. As an example of an ad from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), I included their longer CM that includes a mini speech from Prime Minister Taro Aso.

At the time I could not find a copy of the 15-second version of the Taro Aso commercial. Now that I’ve found it, I’d like to share it with you all, since it is one of the worst political commercials I have seen in my life:

Most of the commercial consists of Taro Aso silently standing and staring at viewers. It seems like he can’t keep still – it’s almost like he’s wobbling his head around a bit. He isn’t smiling. Those unfamiliar with his natural facial expression might think that he’s scowling.

A narrator asks who they think can protect their lifestyle and this country. Aso keeps standing there, saying nothing. The commercial ends with the LDP logo and slogan (“Protect Japan /a strong sense of responsibility”) appearing in front of Aso.

Even though I don’t particularly like Aso, it’s a painful to watch this commercial. The LDP’s web attack ads are truly skillful examples of political commercials, but this is a train wreck. Aso is not a popular prime minister. A lot of LDP politicans who are trying to hold on to their diet seats have deliberately avoided placing Aso on their campaign posters. Why would they want their national TV ad campaign to put the focus on an uncharismatic and unpopular leader? It’s almost as if they are trying to increase the scale of the defeat they will likely suffer on the 30th.

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Election commercials on Japanese TV: The LDP vs. The DPJ

A few days ago, I introduced some of the YouTube attack ads being used in Japan’s 2009 general election. In this post, I shall share two examples of commercials that the two major parties are airing on TV.

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Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Commercial

Prime Minister Aso is speaking about how his party aims to create a peaceful society. He wants children to realize their dreams, young people to have hopes, and for the elderly to have peace of mind. Taro Aso wants to create a Japan in which people of all age groups can move forward without barriers or worries about the future. Aso and the LDP will pursue this goal with realistic and concrete measures. They have a strong sense of responsibility and can protect Japan. The commercial ends with a message asking viewers to think about Japan when they go to the ballot boxes. (“This summer, think about Japan.”)
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Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Commercial

This commercial is addressed to all of you out there who are angry about your taxes being wasted. Viewers are told that politics much be changed before their way of living can be changed. DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama appears on the screen at the end of the commercial to declare, “first, we need regime change!”
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New LDP attack ad: The DPJ makes disgusting ramen

Japan’s ruling party has released a follow-up to is popular proposal attack ad. This time, the DPJ character prepares a delicious-looking bowl of ramen (his party manifesto) for the woman:

As Mr. DPJ is readying the ramen, he hears complaints and suggestions from a variety of people and tries to respond to all of them. The final product is a ugly mess that doesn’t at all resemble the nice ramen he started with. Text appears on the screen reminding viewers that if you try to hard to please everyone, you’ll end up satisfying nobody. The clip ends with a reminder that the Liberal Democratic Party has solid policy plans.

Like the previous attack ad, it was no doubt produced by advertising mega-company Dentsu. It looks like it was expensive and it seems to have been worth the investment: the video is already at nearly 15,000 views on YouTube and is bound to get attention from TV news programs.

Update: They also have another attack ad making fun of the DPJ’s flip-flopping on the refueling issue, free trade with the United States, and decentralization of government authority. It also looks like Taro Aso took a ride on the Keihin Tohoku line.

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Side rant: Is the presence of a foreigner in the commercial a swipe at the DPJ’s view on non-citizen voting? [Not just a joke about their stance on the refueling mission.] Also, what’s the deal with the cartoon foreigner speaking with an appallingly fake gaijin-san accent?

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General Election 2009 – The Trailer

An intro that TBS evening news has been using for its coverage of 2009 election news:

Sadly, the actual coverage is nowhere near as exciting as the intro would suggest.

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Political Photoshopping

Shisaku points out something quite interesting about House of Representatives member Satsuki Katayama:

• Left: Satsuki Katayama’s portrait on her official site.
• Right: Satsuki Katayama’s portrait on her party’s website.