When all liberals are neoliberals, conservatism wins.

After weak showings by the opposition parties, Koizumi and his LDP remain in power. You can kiss regional stability goodbye, not to mention relative domestic equity and Article 9. But what did you expect?

Below are some priceless campaign posters:

A local Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) candidate. The parallels between this party and the American Democratic Party are eerie.
A couple of Komeito candidates, a Buddhist party in coalition with the LDP. Together, this coalition now holds roughly 4 our 5 seats in the Diet. Thanks, voters! Great power-fist poses, eh? Power to privatization!
A local Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidate shows his true patriotism (for which country?) with a lengthy JFK quote. Maybe it's not trite in Japan? Brilliant slogan: "Try to the best."
The son of a former prime minister easily took the win for the LDP in Kurashiki. Underqualified son rides in on his father's coattails--reminds me of someone...