A growing number of politicians in Japan have "inherited" their parliamentary seats from their fathers. Unless this "hereditary" system is reversed, Japanese politics in all likelihood will continue on a path of decline.

Since last year, one impasse after another has developed in the nation's legislative process. Some blame the divided Diet, where the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito commands a two-thirds majority in the Lower House while the Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition groups hold more than half the seats in the Upper House.

But a close look at recent developments suggests that the root of the problem lies in the growing number of lawmakers who are filling their fathers' shoes. This is true not only of rank-and-file politicians but also of leading figures in government.