With only four days before the nation goes to the polls, veteran lawmaker Ichiro Ozawa slammed the opposition camp Wednesday for failing to cooperate in the fight against the ruling bloc in the Upper House election.
But Ozawa, who leads the small opposition Seikatsu no To (People's Life Party) predicted that "a strong force" could emerge among the opposition parties before the next general election with the aim of bringing down the LDP-led government.
"Despite the failure of the Democratic Party of Japan, the public wants alternatives" to the Liberal Democratic Party, Ozawa said at a news conference hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan. "It will take much time to form an alliance because egos of politicians and political parties would clash. But the public is increasingly demanding a change in the current situation."