In the United States, the Internet has become a key communication source in the political equation, as evidenced by President Bill Clinton's televised e-mail "net conference" in August.
In Japan, the technology is in use, but both politicians and the public alike are still uncertain how to best take advantage of it.
The Liberal Democratic Party and the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan have opened Web sites to disseminate information and to solicit the opinions of ordinary citizens.
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