Amid low public expectations, Japan's newest and largest opposition party conducted its inauguration ceremony Sunday, vowing to dethrone Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Sunday's formation of the Democratic Party, born from the merger of the Democratic Party of Japan and Ishin no To (Japan Innovation Party), represents the culmination of opposition efforts to unite against the LDP-Komeito ruling coalition in the critical Upper House election this summer.
The party's platform, however, is basically the same as the former DPJ's in terms of political philosophy and policies. Whether the opposition force can attract more voters remains to be seen, despite the flashy rhetoric used at Sunday's convention.