David Cameron, the leader of the British opposition Conservative Party, is the envy of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which is in desperate need to find someone to replace or succeed Taro Aso, whose popularity remains low despite a political scandal involving the Democratic Party of Japan — the arrest of DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa's chief secretary.
Even though many LDP members of the Lower House do not want to have to fight the next general election (due to take place no later than September) with Aso at the helm, only a few dare openly say so because they cannot find a suitable replacement.
According to one participant in a March 16 meeting attended by influential members of the various intraparty factions, there was a consensus that the party would not be able to win the next election without a new leader, regardless of what new policies Aso may come up with.