Observers in Britain are divided on the prospects of a grand coalition forming in Japan.
A former editor of The Economist, Bill Emmott, believes the immense reconstruction challenges facing Japan in light of the March 11 disasters and nuclear crisis mean that a grand coalition of its main political parties is more likely.
"We can see in politics great uncertainty about what will emerge as a result of the crisis. I think there will eventually be the formation of a grand coalition but it is looking difficult . . . it may take a few months for clarity," he said in a recent interview.