Japan's election battle already underway on Internet (AFP)

Posted on Fri Oct 3, 2008 3:54AM EDT


TOKYO (AFP) - While snap elections appear to have been pushed back in Japan, the battle between the ruling and opposition camps is already well under way on the Internet.

Prime Minister Taro Aso, who took office last week to lead his conservative Liberal Democratic Party into elections, launched an emailed movie newsletter on Thursday -- a first for a Japanese premier.

"We have concluded that it's a good idea to send videos. Thank you in advance for your support," a relaxed Aso said in the first video of the "Taro Channel," which he plans to email each week.



Aso, 68, is a passionate reader of comic books who has tried to appeal to hardcore fans of pop culture.

Reformist prime minister Junichiro Koizumi started a weekly email in 2001, writing blog-like messages in plain language for the public and featuring famous guest columnists such as New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui.

Koizumi's successors Shinzo Abe and Yasuo Fukuda both continued the popular ex-premier's email, but kept it focused on policy priorities.

Aso also maintained the email, vowing in the first issue to work to ease people's anxieties about the struggling economy.

"I am determined to build a strong and bright nation -- a nation of which we, the people of Japan, can feel proud," Aso wrote.

Ichiro Ozawa, head of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, launched his own video series on YouTube called the "Life Priority Channel."

"We cannot rebuild and protect people's lives unless the DPJ wins general elections and takes power," Ozawa said. "Through this channel, I want to work hard to win support. Thank you for your cooperation."

Aso was initially expected to call snap elections as early as the end of this month, but he has recently suggested he would hold off until he passes extra funding to help Japan cope with the global economic slowdown.