Pacific21 Event Regime Change in Japan   Tuesday, August 30, 2005 2:00pm Impact of the September 11 General Election and US-Japan relations Location: St. Louis Room, Brookings Institution Speakers: Kumi Yokoe:Political Analyst, and television commentator.Lecturer, Meiji University. Ado Machida Senior Advisor, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. Former Deputy Assistant to Vice President Cheney for domestic policy Acting Director, Office of Domestic Policy. Moderator: Devin Stewart Fellow, Office of the Japan Chair, CSIS *** As the US media focuses on China and Iraq, Japan is entering one of its most riveting political period in decades. Japan｡ｯs Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is fighting for his political life, while the opposition Democratic Party is gaining power and could for the first time present a formidable challenge to the LDP, which has ruled Japan almost continuously for the last half century. Please join us on Tuesday, August 30, when one of Japan｡ｯs most respected independent political analysts, Kumi Yokoe, sits down with former White House policy player Ado Machida, to discuss recent events and what it means for Tokyo｡ｯs relations with Washington. Prime Minister Koizumi just took a high-stakes gamble to push through his post office privatization act, and lost. He then dissolved the Lower House of Parliament, and will hold a General Election on Sept 11. Koizumi is the Tony Blair of Asia -- a close and dependable ally. But he could be forced out. If Democrats take over, how will it affect the alliance with US? Will the DPJ withdraw troops from Iraq? Will they want more changes to the US military presence in Okinawa? PACIFIC21 Washington Bureau hosted many forums on international issues at National Press center, D.C. Forum with Mr. Dick Morris at D.C. Forum with Honorable Akiyama at D.C.