That democracy is based on a free and fair election system goes without saying. A system that enables government to change is another vital feature of democracy. In Japan, power remains in the hands of the Liberal Democratic Party, although a large segment of the voting public is unhappy with the party. The opposition camp thus far has proven itself to be too weak to offer a viable alternative. Will an enlarged Democratic Party of Japan be able to break the deadlock?

That is the key question posed by the planned merger between the DPJ and the Liberal Party. On Wednesday, Mr. Naoto Kan, head of the DPJ, and Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the LP, agreed to establish a new party by the end of September. The agreement calls for the DPJ to absorb Ozawa's party, which is the second-largest opposition group in the Lower House and the third-largest in the Upper House. The new DPJ will have a total strength of 202 Diet seats, compared with the LDP's 355.

The merger is expected to invigorate national politics as the LDP faces new challenges from a larger and emboldened opposition party. It remains to be seen, however, whether the enlarged DPJ will be better able to meet voter expectations for a new government. The marriage itself will not immediately resolve the differences that now exist between the DPJ and the LP.