Japan Chair Forum - LDP-Liberal Coalition and Japans Policy Direction

Three panelists convened to discuss the implications of the recent coalition between the LDP and the Liberal Party. The general consensus among the speakers was that the formation of the LDP – Liberal Coalition (L-L Coalition) would add strength and stability to Japan’s teetering political system. While the long term effects of the L-L Coalition remain to be seen, it was generally concluded that the L-L Coalition will enable policies to be enacted more quickly and speed up the legislation of the Security Guidelines. All three speakers however, remain somewhat skeptical about the L-L Coalition -- the static nature of the LDP and their survival tactics may override the momentum towards change and restructuring of the Japanese political system.

Tsuneo Watanabe (CSIS, Japan Chair), Takashi Oka (Former advisor to Ichiro Ozawa), Mike Green (Council on Foreign Relations)