Staff writer
The political dust raised in December by the breakup of Shinshinto seems to have settled, now that the Democratic Party of Japan and three smaller parties have agreed to merge ahead of the July Upper House election.
It remains to be seen, however, if the new DPJ will become a credible opposition force and pose a serious challenge to the Liberal Democratic Party or follow the same path as the rift-ridden Shinshinto, the largest opposition party before its breakup. After weeks of intense discussions, the DPJ, Minseito (Good Governance Party), Shinto Yuai (Amity Party) and the Democratic Reform Party, which had been part of the Minyuren parliamentary alliance, formally agreed March 12 to merge before the Upper House poll to challenge the LDP's dominance.