This is significant.

The same party has pretty much ruled Japan for five decades.

The Liberal Democratic Party has not only been indecisive and weak but also a kow-tow to Washington.

The new party (The Democratic Party of Japan) intends to lead differently, slashing excessive government and heading down a more independent path than its predecessor.

We can expect not only a new style of governance but some significant foreign policy changes as well. You can bet that North Korea and China will be getting nervous as this historic election result becomes more understood.


Link
[link to edition.cnn.com]

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso announced his resignation as head of the party that has governed Japan for decades following its apparent landslide defeat in elections Sunday.

Japan's voters, fed up with the party that has governed the country for decades, gave the opposition an enormous landslide victory in parliamentary elections Sunday, exit polls suggest.

The polls indicate the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) may have won a 3-to-1 victory over the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Aso congratulated the DPJ in a televised appearance.