2010 Democratic Party (Japan, 1998) leadership election
← 2009 4 June 2010 2010 →
 
Candidate Naoto Kan Shinji Tarutoko
First round 291 129
Previous President

Yukio Hatoyama

 President

Naoto Kan

The 14th Democratic Party of Japan leadership election was held on 4 June 2010 after the incumbent party President Yukio Hatoyama resigned after failing to fulfil a promise to the voters regarding the United States Forces Japan's bases in Okinawa Prefecture; his resignation was reportedly an attempt to improve the DPJ's chances in the upcoming House of Councillors election in July 2010. Also incumbent party Secretary-General Ichirō Ozawa resigned on 4 June 2010 due to many recent scandals. Finance Minister Naoto Kan was widely expected to succeed Hatoyama, and a new government was expected to be formed on 7 June 2010.[1] On 3 June 2010 Shinji Tarutoko declared his candidacy to run against Naoto Kan for the leadership.[2] Apart from these two, Transport Minister Seiji Maehara and Foreign Affairs Minister Katsuya Okada were also seen as contenders, but both backed Kan.[3][4] Kan defeated Tarutoko by a vote of 291–129 with 2 invalid ballots was elected president of DPJ.[5]

Kan was seen as coming from the left of the DPJ and emphasized his independence from Ozawa; he succeeded in getting the backing of right-wingers Maehara, Okada and Yoshito Sengoku. He was sworn in as PM on the same day. A government reshuffle was expected over the weekend.[6]

Presidential election results

Candidates Votes
Naoto Kan 当 291
Shinji Tarutoko 129
Grand total 420

References

  1. ^ "Japan's ruling Democrats scramble to pick new PM - Yahoo! News". news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Profile: Naoto Kan". BBC News. 26 August 2011.
  3. ^ "2010/06/03 04:29 - Transport Minister Maehara Top Pick for Next PM: Nikkei Poll". e.nikkei.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Finance Minister Naoto Kan seen as Japan front-runner". BBC News. 3 June 2010.
  5. ^ "Japan Democrats pick heavyweight Kan as next PM". Reuters. 4 June 2010 – via www.reuters.com.
  6. ^ "Naoto Kan new Japanese prime minister | the Australian". www.theaustralian.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 April 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2022.


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