June 2010 Democratic Party (Japan, 1998) leadership election
A leadership election was held in the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 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]
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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 |
- 1 invalid vote
Secretary-General election results
| Candidates |
|---|
| Yukio Edano |
References
- "Profile: Naoto Kan". 26 August 2011 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- "Finance Minister Naoto Kan seen as Japan front-runner". 3 June 2010 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- Reuters Staff (4 June 2010). "Japan Democrats pick heavyweight Kan as next PM" – via www.reuters.com.