Last year was a bad one for the Democratic Party of Japan. Its troubles started when DPJ lawmaker Hisayasu Nagata implied that the son of Tsutomu Ta-kebe, a big shot in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was involved in a money-for-favors deal. Once it was revealed that Nagata's evidence was false, the DPJ had to go through all sorts of humiliating contortions to regain face.

The incident highlighted the organization's failing in its role as the recognized main opposition party. The DPJ sees this role as bringing down the ruling coalition, but it doesn't attempt to accomplish this mission by challenging the coalition on its policies, probably because there isn't as much ideological difference between the LDP and the DPJ as the DPJ would like you to think. DPJ head Ichiro Ozawa's recent attempt to make a big thing out of the LDP's alleged misuse of funds proves that the only way the party can fight the coalition is by digging dirt.

Politicians are not required by law to disclose itemized expenses for running their offices, but last year several LDP lawmakers were scrutinized because they had spent a lot of money on office expenses even though they used government offices rent-free. The opposition wondered whether this money, which is a combination of private donations and public funds, was being used for something outside of political activities, such as personal enrichment. Two Cabinet ministers and the LDP policy chief have drawn particular attention. However, Ozawa's own expenses, which amounted to a whopping 415 million yen in 2005, raised some eyebrows as well.