On 30 August, 2009, Yukio Hatoyama, the leader of Japan's largest opposition party - Democratic Party, leaded Democrats in the House of Representatives to win an overwhelming election victory for the first time as they defeated the Liberal Democratic Party to come into power. This victory not only contains meaningful influence in Japanese politics, but also brings emotional expectations for the Japanese people.

There is an interesting fact that a "honeymoon period" exists as the new leader comes into power in the first 100 days. During this so called honeymoon period, the leader like the new Prime Minister of Japan, could do some unpopular things which might hurt his voters' interests. Although this kind of behavior is unpopular, voters tend to forgive it and show the relative tolerance.

For Yukio Hatoyama, the first honeymoon period is over. Let's examine roughly how good he has performed in this period. Japan's NHK News released the latest survey result about Hatoyama cabinet's support rate is 56.4% on 10^th, December, 2009. Compared with 73.6% as Hatoyama first came into power, there is a large decline in people's satisfaction to the new Prime Minister.

The cabinet, in war

Since the Democratic Party, led by Hatoyama, fail to win half of seats in the Senate, it has to form the cabinet with Social Democratic Party and People's New Party. As the different party represents different interest groups. This new cabinet is always indulged into contradiction. The new conflict lies in the economic stimulus plan. Democrats initially proposed that the scale for the plan would be up to 7.1 trillion yen, while the People's New Party sticked that the scale should increase to 8 trillion yen, given the current harsh economic situation. Although the difference is not large, both parties hardly want to compromise.

Why doesn't Social Democratic Party and People's New Party play more friendly in the cabinet? The main purpose to explain their current hostility lies to the vote. Both parties want to attract voters's attention and support. The hostility, in a controlled extent, could fulfill their purpose. But the unity and stability for the Hatoyama cabinet is continuously challenged.

Economy, the pain forever

The Japanese Ministry of health, labor published the latest survey on the average wage on 14^th December, 2009. The data shows that enterprises which bring down the average wage take up 12.9%. This is the worst record. It not only show a worst number, but the painful economy.

Faced with the bad economy, the government had to issue more bond for stimulus package, but Japan's national debt level will reach 1.7 times the GDP. It is worst in all developed countries. To reduce the deficit, the Hatoyama government could raise taxes, cut public expenditure, promote economic growth. For the first method, Hatoyama once promised to voters that he would not consider tax increases during election. Although the government has committed to cutting expenditure, while the reduction is still small. With respect to the last way of promoting economy, Japan lacks engine to support the furthermore economic growth.

The lost decade is so painful for Japan. But the new situation tells us Japan will still suffer, and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will still suffer as well.