The Democratic Party of Japan, which suffered a severe setback in the Dec. 16 Lower House election, on Feb. 24 held a party convention aimed at laying the foundation for its resuscitation. Although it adopted a party platform and a seven-point declaration, it is hard to see how the No. 1 opposition party will gather the momentum needed for a competitive revival.
DPJ chief Mr. Banri Kaieda and other party leaders must make strenuous efforts to unify the party and put it in fighting mode to prepare for the Upper House election this summer.
As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe does not seem to be intent on strengthening the nation's social policy, the DPJ must show people that it is committed to stabilizing people's lives while pointing out the shortfalls of policies pushed by the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.