Wow, I like Hatoyama's linked op-ed, really an open attack on "globalism", "the idea ... all countries should modify the traditions and regulations governing their economies in line with global (or rather American) standards"; and US supremacy in general (I already hear the "anti-American!!!" counter-attacks), with rather explicit words on the change of the East Asian political balance.

While he writes about Japan, he cleverly embeds it in a (European) Enlightement narrative. He nails it in right in the third paragraph:

In these times, we must return to the idea of fraternity -- as in the French slogan "liberté, égalité, fraternité" -- as a force for moderating the danger inherent within freedom.

As to be expected (well at least I expected it), there is a hint at improving regional relations; though with the obligatory reinforcement of the special imperial relation:

Another national goal that emerges from the concept of fraternity is the creation of an East Asian community. Of course, the Japan-U.S. security pact will continue to be the cornerstone of Japanese diplomatic policy.

But at the same time, we must not forget our identity as a nation located in Asia. I believe that the East Asian region, which is showing increasing vitality, must be recognized as Japan's basic sphere of being. So we must continue to build frameworks for stable economic cooperation and security across the region.

The following part of the attack may be relevant for the Euro:

The financial crisis has suggested to many that the era of U.S. unilateralism may come to an end. It has also raised doubts about the permanence of the dollar as the key global currency.

The EU is clearly on his mind but suitable as role model only partially:

Today, as the supranational political and economic philosophies of Marxism and globalism have, for better or for worse, stagnated, nationalism is once again starting to have a major influence in various countries.

As we seek to build new structures for international cooperation, we must overcome excessive nationalism and go down a path toward rule-based economic cooperation and security.

Unlike Europe, the countries of this region differ in size, development stage and political system, so economic integration cannot be achieved over the short term. However, we should nonetheless aspire to move toward regional currency integration as a natural extension of the rapid economic growth...

Therefore, I would suggest, somewhat paradoxically, that the issues that stand in the way of regional integration can only be truly resolved by moving toward greater integration. The experience of the E.U. shows us how regional integration can defuse territorial disputes.

...and he ends with Europe again:

Let me conclude by quoting the words of Count Coudenhove-Kalergi, founder of the first popular movement for a united Europe, written 85 years ago in "Pan-Europa" (my grandfather, Ichiro Hatoyama, translated his book, "The Totalitarian State Against Man," into Japanese): "All great historical ideas started as a utopian dream and ended with reality. Whether a particular idea remains as a utopian dream or becomes a reality depends on the number of people who believe in the ideal and their ability to act upon it."

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

Thasnks for the comment. I intentionally left out many issues which are very confusing. DPJ's election manifesto is a collection of goodies ranging from a child care support (300 dollars per month), direct income support to farmers, free highways to affordable housing. In essence, their promise is to create a welfare state of the Swedish type, without higher taxes.

As for foreign policy, I honestly do not know where they are.  Probably they will scale back involvement in the continuing war on terror. With Hatoyama's pledge not to visit the imperialist shrine, there will not be major problems with China (which is about to take our position of No.2 economic power) or with ROK.  Hopefully, it could give DPJ enough room to maneuver vis a vis Kim Jong Il.

If they win as expected, the next premier will be Hatoyama. He is from a well known family of academic and political achievements. A key figure in the post-election politics will be Ichiro Ozawa of DPJ. He resigned from the post of DPJ chief this year over criminal investigation of his political finance, but is highly respected by the party members.

I will become a patissier, God willing.