Japan’s Leadership Hopefuls Court Opposition in Bid for Power

The top contenders to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party will need to collaborate with opposition parties to help make progress on policy and stabilize the LDP’s shaky grip on power.

After losing its majority in both houses of parliament in recent elections, the LDP and its junior coalition partner Komeito are now 13 seats short of the majority needed to pass budgets and other key legislation in the more powerful lower chamber.