On Oct. 12 and 13, members and associate members of the Social Democratic Party cast ballots to elect a new party leader. This year¡¯s election was particularly meaningful because, unlike previous elections for the past 17 years that were uncontested, this year¡¯s saw two men face off: SDP policy chief Mr. Tadatomo Yoshida and Tokyo¡¯s Toshimi Ward Assembly member Mr. Taiga Ishikawa.
With 71.67 percent of the party¡¯s 17,410 members and associate members voting, Mr. Yoshida cruised to victory with 9,986 votes against Mr. Ishikawa¡¯s 2,239, and was elected party chief Monday.
Mr. Yoshida¡¯s mission is clear but difficult. An Upper House member with just three years¡¯ experience, he must rebuild the marginalized party into a viable organization that can once again wield influence in the nation¡¯s policymaking process.
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