Yukio Edano was the face of Japan during the unprecedented nuclear crisis that hit Fukushima Prefecture in 2011, leading numerous news conferences as the government's top spokesman.

Fast forward to 2017, and the "Jack Bauer of Japan," as he was dubbed by overseas media for his tirelessness during the quake, tsunami and nuclear crises, is once again in the limelight — this time as head of what may soon become the nation's biggest opposition party.

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is riding high ahead of Sunday's general election, buoyed by the underdog charm Edano displayed in founding a party he portrays as a fresh challenge to the juggernaut that is Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition.