MAJOR CHANGE IN JAPAN - AT 7:48 A.M. ET:  As we reported yesterday, Japanese voters have thrown out the long-standing ruling party and elected a party made up of, well, "beginners" might be the best word, as The New York Times reports:

The party is made up of an inexperienced group of left-wing activists and LDP defectors. It is just 11 years old, and only a handful have served in top government positions.

Just what we need as we confront nearby North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs.  Japanese voters are reportedly frustrated over the weak economy, and the vote is seen more as a "throw the rascals out" action than an endorsement of the new boys, known as the Democratic Party of Japan - as if we required another one.

But there are implications for the United States.  The new party, led by Yukio Hatoyama, who will be prime minister, is far less pro-American than the one it replaces:

Hatoyama has been vocal about distancing Japan from Washington and forging closer ties with its Asian neighbors.

He has said he will end a refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in support of U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, and wants to review the role of the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed across Japan under a post-World War II mutual security treaty.

But we are given "reassurance":

He is not expected to make any radical departures that would harm relations with Washington, however, and the new U.S. ambassador to Japan said President Barack Obama is looking forward to working with the administration in Tokyo.

Given Hatoyama's leftism, I'm sure Obama is very much looking forward to working with him.  Soulmates.

August 31, 2009