ABSTRACT

The DPJ came to power in the general election of August 30, 2009 by capturing 308 of the Lower House’s 480 seats. However, in the general election of December 16, 2012, voters handed the DPJ a severe reprimand: the number of DPJ-controlled seats dropped to just 57 in a massive defeat for the party. The DPJ was an opposition party once more.