The Democratic Party of Japan, holding its annual convention Saturday in Tokyo, adopted a 2003 policy platform stepping up criticism of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for failing to stop deflation or curb rising unemployment.
DPJ leader Naoto Kan said he is determined to "do everything that can be done" to replace the ruling coalition in the next House of Representatives election, which is expected to be called this year.
"The Koizumi Cabinet has not only been unable to hammer out proper policies, but has maintained measures that will only accelerate deflation," Kan said in a keynote speech at the convention.