Challenging the Two-Party System: Third Force Parties in the 2012 Election

Abstract

In the 2009 general election, the Japanese electorate rejected the LDP after three unpopular one-year prime ministers. The DPJ government that followed duplicated that record with three more unpopular one-year prime ministers. The result was widespread disaffection with both major parties. The 2012 election thus looked like an ideal time to challenge the evolving two-party system and the field was crowded with new parties looking to take advantage of this window of opportunity. As the election approached, the DPJ seemed ready to disintegrate as a steady stream of defections to one or another of the new parties was announced. These “Third Force” (dai-san kyoku) parties were challenging the two-party system and thus are best labeled “challenger parties” (Hino 2012).