Japan¡¯s largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), entered a new era on Tuesday, electing 47-year-old Kenta Izumi as its leader.
Izumi, a Lower House member representing a district in the city of Kyoto, won the top spot on his second try after losing to former leader Yukio Edano in last year¡¯s leadership vote. He takes over a party facing tough questions about how to rebuild following a crushing defeat in the Oct. 31 Lower House election, as well as how ¡ª or perhaps whether ¡ª to cooperate with other opposition parties ahead of next year¡¯s Upper House election.
¡°I was the youngest candidate in the election, but I¡¯m not too young. We will not tolerate strange politics, and will become a political party that works for those in need,¡± Izumi said following his election.
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