The opposition camp may be headed for further breakups and regroupings. The ongoing race to choose a new leader of the Democratic Party ¡ª the largest opposition force ¡ª to take over from Renho has been overshadowed by former deputy DP leader Goshi Hosono¡¯s move to leave the party, along with speculation that he and other DP lawmakers will pursue an alliance with a much-anticipated new party being contemplated for launch by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike in preparation for the next Lower House general election.
A realignment of the opposition may be inevitable given the DP¡¯s failure to present a viable alternative to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe¡¯s ruling coalition. It must not be forgotten, however, that a splintered opposition camp will only benefit the ruling parties ¡ª as it has ever since Abe¡¯s Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito alliance wrested power back from the DP¡¯s predecessor in the 2012 election. It is ironic that the opposition camp is in such disarray just as Abe¡¯s once seemingly unassailable grip on power now appears shaky with a plunge in the popular approval ratings of his administration and the LDP¡¯s setback in various elections, including its stunning defeat in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly campaign in early July.
Renho announced her resignation as DP chief to accept blame for the party¡¯s dismal showing in the Tokyo assembly election, in which it captured only five of the 127 seats contested. Koike, who took the capital¡¯s helm in the gubernatorial election a year ago, was the clear winner, leading her fledgling Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites First) party and its allies to a comfortable majority in the assembly.
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