The opposition camp may be headed for further breakups and regroupings. The ongoing race to choose a new leader of the Democratic Party — the largest opposition force — to take over from Renho has been overshadowed by former deputy DP leader Goshi Hosono's move to leave the party, along with speculation that he and other DP lawmakers will pursue an alliance with a much-anticipated new party being contemplated for launch by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike in preparation for the next Lower House general election.

A realignment of the opposition may be inevitable given the DP's failure to present a viable alternative to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition. It must not be forgotten, however, that a splintered opposition camp will only benefit the ruling parties — as it has ever since Abe's Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito alliance wrested power back from the DP's predecessor in the 2012 election. It is ironic that the opposition camp is in such disarray just as Abe's once seemingly unassailable grip on power now appears shaky with a plunge in the popular approval ratings of his administration and the LDP's setback in various elections, including its stunning defeat in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly campaign in early July.

Renho announced her resignation as DP chief to accept blame for the party's dismal showing in the Tokyo assembly election, in which it captured only five of the 127 seats contested. Koike, who took the capital's helm in the gubernatorial election a year ago, was the clear winner, leading her fledgling Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites First) party and its allies to a comfortable majority in the assembly.