Editorials Sep 2, 2016
DP's leadership race begins
The Democratic Party needs to choose a leader capable of transforming the party into contender capable of taking over the reins of government.
National / Politics Aug 25, 2016
U.S.-friendly Maehara able to find common ground with LDP
by Eric Johnston
Former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, who is expected to run for president of the opposition Democratic Party, brings a wealth of experience and an America-friendly reputation to the race. Maehara represents the Kyoto No. 2 district in the Lower House, an area in the eastern ...
National / Politics Aug 5, 2016
Renho steps forward in bid to lead DP ahead of Sept. 15 vote
by Reiji Yoshida
The deputy leader of the Democratic Party announces she will run for its presidency, vowing to reform it into a viable alternative.
National / Politics Jun 7, 2016
Opposition parties, activists ink policy pact for Upper House election
The Democratic Party and three other opposition parties have signed a policy accord with a major activist group opposed to the controversial security laws pushed through by the ruling coalition last year. In the run-up to the July 10 Upper House election, the heads of ...
Editorials Mar 16, 2016
More than a new name is needed
Without a common policy platform that can provide voters with a genuine alternative to the ruling coalition, the new leading opposition party's future won't be bright.
National / Politics Sep 4, 2015
Opposition leaders pledge last-ditch efforts to block security bills
by Mizuho Aoki
The leaders of six opposition parties Friday agreed to form a united front in trying to prevent the ruling camp bulldozing two contentious security bills into law. The government and the ruling bloc, which comprises the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, are aiming to have ...
National / Politics Aug 31, 2015
Ishin, DPJ agree to work together to challenge ruling coalition
by Mizuho Aoki and Masaaki Kameda
Leaders of Ishin no To and the Democratic Party of Japan agree to bolster cooperation in the Diet and future elections with the aim of taking the fight to the ruling camp.
National / Politics Jul 23, 2015
LDP OKs Upper House electoral reform bill for submission with four opposition parties
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday endorsed a bill proposed by four opposition parties to narrow vote disparities between constituencies in House of Councilors elections. The five parties plan to submit the bill on Thursday to the Upper House. On the strength of their ...
Editorials Dec 19, 2014
Can the opposition mend its ways?
It's time Japan's political opposition learn from their failures of the past two years, especially their crushing defeat in the Dec. 14 Lower House election, to rebuild themselves in a way that enables them to challenge the ruling bloc and to give voters a ...
National / Politics Nov 23, 2014
Kaieda says DPJ is aiming to block majority for Abe's LDP in election
The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan aims to prevent Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party from securing a majority in the Dec. 14 Lower House election, DPJ leader Banri Kaieda said Sunday. The party, ousted from power in the 2012 election, will campaign ...
National / Politics Aug 1, 2014
Two new parties launched after split of Japan Restoration Party
Two new parties were officially launched Friday as the opposition Japan Restoration Party headed by former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara and Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto dissolved over a proposed merger with the smaller opposition Yui no To party. A group of 22 lawmakers in both ...
Commentary / Japan Apr 8, 2013
Japan's deficit in visionary thinking
by John Edward Philips
Japanese opposition parties' failures to develop alternatives to LDP policies could be attributed to a deficit in the number of independent think tanks.