With the end of the regular Diet session, the political focus has shifted to the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership contest in September. The LDP ballot is attracting all the more attention because it is expected to be followed by a general election, possibly in November.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a pep talk to LDP members, has urged them to "prepare for the coming challenge and bolster the political foundation." There is no doubt that he had in mind not only the party presidential poll but also a subsequent general election. Already Lower House legislators are gearing up for election campaigning as they return to their constituencies.
In fact, campaign preparations are picking up momentum with the main focus on what the Koizumi administration has, or has not, achieved during its two years and three months in office. Adding to the political heat is the scheduled merger between the Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition group, and the smaller Liberal Party.