INDONESIA HOTLINE

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has resigned. The Japanese people are waiting on a new leader, but unless they change, their future will be determined by a handful of politicians. The whole nation needs to be much more proactive now in finding a fresh, democratic and visionary leader to lead the nation into its third awakening period after the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century and the resurrection of Japan following its humiliating military defeat in World War II.

Just hours after Fukuda's abrupt resignation on Monday evening, leaders of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) repeated the five-decades-old backdoor practice of picking a new party boss -- one who will almost certainly become the new prime minister of Japan. It is a power and economic bargaining deal among leaders of the party factions. It is clear, however, that such a primitive selection method is too obsolete now for the world's second most powerful economy.

Japanese voters have a strong final say in the elections of mayors, governors, and parliament members, because the system allows them to directly elect their regional and legislative leaders. Voters, however, only have indirect power in determining their national leader. The right to choose a prime minister is more in the hands of a dozen LDP leaders, as the party has ruled Japan nearly uninterrupted since 1955.

The presence of a democratic, prosperous and pacifist Japan has and will continue to greatly benefit not only the country, but also the region and even the world.

Now is the right time for the Japanese people to regain their basic democratic rights to have the final say on who they can trust to lead the country. But can they (more precisely, are they willing to) fully regain their constitutional rights?

During the Meiji Restoration era, Japan was able to catch up to the progress of the West in the 19th century. With help from the United States, Japan was able not just to wake up from the ruins of WWII, but also to turn into an economic superpower. The war left painful memories for many Asian countries, but their economies were also lifted by Japan's achievements. It is unfortunate some hawkish Japanese leaders often make unnecessary problems by opening up the old wounds.

In the 1990s, Japan's economy declined severely, and to date, it has been unable to make a full recovery. It is wonderful, however, that despite stagnant economic growth, Japan is still able to maintain its status as the second largest economy after the U.S. China, however, will likely soon take over this position.

Now many Japanese are waiting for the coming of their nation's third awakening period. Japan is an aging nation. In the words of a senior Japanese diplomat based in Jakarta, Japan is even now an aged nation. More people are ready to accept the fact that China will soon replace Japan in the world economic map. But along with China, Japan -- India will also join them -- will remain the main locomotive of the Asian economy.

Again, are the Japanese people ready to sacrifice themselves to undergo a painful period to climb out of the prolonged economic slump? They need to remember that even Indonesians, who are much less educated and privileged than Japanese and who regained their rights only 63 years after their country's independence, can now exercise their basic right to determine their president.

The young and inexperienced Barack Obama has rocked the mainstream U.S. political establishment. Although he may lose against the more experienced John McCain in the November presidential election, the spirit of Obama will continue inspiring many nations, especially their younger generations.

Japan needs an Obama to inspire the nearly stalled nation. The Japanese people can no longer let vested interests and conventional politicians determine their future. It is impossible that an advanced country like Japan does not have inspiring young leaders.

For Indonesia and the region, Fukuda's exit will not have a great impact. But the revival of Japan's economy will mean much for the region, and it will be more meaningful if Japan is also more able to share its prosperity with its neighbors.