Japan opposition may see resurgence under new leader
Significance The Democratic Party of Japan was ejected from government by Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party in 2012, and has suffered resounding electoral defeats ever since. Its absorption in March this year of the smaller Japan Innovation Party and its name-change to 'the Democratic Party' failed to refresh its image. The new leader faces the challenge of giving voters a credible and compelling centre-left alternative to Abe. Impacts The issue of her hereditary Chinese/Taiwanese nationality could still cause problems for the frontrunner, Renho. Renho, if elected leader, could rally and capitalise on popular anxieties about militarisation. Seiji Maehara, a more hawkish and conservative candidate, would be more receptive to Abe's agenda for constitution revision. Renho might prove a more convincing champion of feminism than Abe, depriving him of this particular banner. Whoever wins, the DP will oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, but lacks the numbers in parliament to block it.