Political maneuvering by groups within the Democratic Party of Japan has become rampant as an election on Sept. 14 of the party's next top leader approaches.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan has announced intention to run in the election. There also is a call within the party for former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa to run. Since the the DPJ's next leader will become prime minister, candidates and intraparty groups must be careful so that the runup to the election and the election itself will not become a power struggle devoid of meaningful discussions on policy matters.
Recent moves by DPJ intraparty groups remind one of past power struggles among factions of the Liberal Democratic Party. Various DPJ groups are holding meetings. Last week, some 160 DPJ lawmakers, including Mr. Ozawa, attended a party in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, sponsored by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's group. By attending the party, Mr. Ozawa apparently tried to show his antipathy toward Mr. Kan.