As Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Democratic Party of Japan kingpin Ichiro Ozawa battle toward their showdown Tuesday, observers are criticizing them for creating a political void in the ruling party at a time when Japan is struggling to rekindle the economy and address other pressing issues.
The DPJ will have difficulty passing legislation after being stripped of its Upper House majority two months ago, and the battle between the two heavyweights is likely to create serious rifts in the party.
Regardless of who wins the presidential election, analysts say the outlook for the DPJ is grim because the party will need to form alliances with opposition parties and govern under increasing pressure from a public tired of power games and hungry for solutions to the nation's troubles.