So far so good---that is my feeling after the change in our government.
Hatoyama's sleepwalking policy had paralyzed our policy, be it diplomacy, or be it economy.

His last and biggest achievement was to clean up the Democratic Party (DPJ) from the influence of the leftist Social Democrats and Mr.Ozawa, the residue of the old Liberal Democratic Party.

Kan's inaugural speech was a well-balanced one. He will consult welll with the government officials as well whom Hatoyama government made it a rule to overneglect and humiliate. For them the government officials are the ruling party and they are still in the opposition.

But it is too early to seriously discuss Kan's policy ("Kan he do it, or kan't he?), because everything is now turning around the coming Upper House election on July 11th. After the double resignation of Hatoyama and Ozawa the approval rating of DPJ has risen to over 40. Now DPJ may well win the much-coveted majority in the Upper House (in the Lower House DPJ already enjoys overwhelming majority).

So far it is more or less clear that Mr.Kan will attach priority to Japan-U.S. alliance as the foundation of Japan's security, and on this firm basis he is intent to develop most friendly relations with China. Kan will shelve the idea of the "East Asian Community", which Hatoyama touted very much without any concrete progress. More feasible idea with participation of the U.S.and China will be sought after with a view to bring the coming Summit meeting of APEC to a success (that meeting will be held in Yokohama under Japan's chairmanship).

I feel that some solid ground is taking shape in the sea of uncertainty. Let us hope and work so that it will become a real one. Yes, we Kan.