„Haben Japans Liberale eine Zukunft? Der wahre Grund für Takaichis Popularität liegt nicht in ihrem „Charakter“ oder ihrer „Politik“, sondern im „selbstmörderischen Akt“ ihres Feindes, der Liberalen. Ihr Wahlkampf zeigte, dass sie sich in einer Blase befanden und keinen Kontakt zur Öffentlichkeit hatten.“

I think the article focussed a bit too much on a particular slogan used by the „centrist“ coalition in the last election. However, what I think it was saying, essentially, is that the coalition used the wrong strategy and didn’t gain new supporters – which is pretty obviously correct.

I think the big problem, the big failure, by the centrist coalition is that it failed to publicly acknowledge that people were hurting and that (for the first time in a long time) people were more politically engaged and felt something needed to change.

Very understandably, a lot of people in Japan now feel as though they are worse off than they used to be, or worse off compared to previous generations. Centrist parties either didn’t acknowledge that and basically just said, “All is well”, or just talked about the same ideas and policies as usual.

Takaichi is a liar and a populist. I dislike her intensely and think she is bad for Japan. However, for better or worse, people felt she represented change. People who felt ignored, people who felt neglected, wanted change and so they voted for Takaichi because they felt she was different and represented change from the usual.

Of course, this is highly ironic because she is the leader of the party that’s been in power for most of the past 75 years. Also, if you actually look at the LDP’s policies, it’s mostly more of the same. More spending, short-term cash splashes or tax breaks, and ever-increasing numbers of foreign tourists and workers even while they spout anti-foreigner rhetoric.

TLDR: Centrist coalition failed because it didn’t acknowledge problems or say things should change.