A brewing political drama could open the way for a two-party system in Japan. Already the ruling and opposition parties are bracing for the Nov. 9 general election in which a transfer of power between two major parties looms as a real possibility for the first time since the end of World War II.
Policy debates will likely invigorate campaigning as never before. The Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition group since absorbing the Liberal Party last month, is promoting a "manifesto" spelling out what the DPJ will do if it takes over the reins of government. The Liberal Democratic Party is publicizing its own manifesto.
This augurs well for Japanese politics. Contesting power on the basis of specific election promises will go a long way toward breaking the bureaucratic hold on politics. In this sense, the forthcoming election will likely change the ways of party politics significantly.