In japan's ruling party, says Taku Yamasaki, a former secretary-general, "we feel a tremendous pain, to the marrow of our bones." The reason is the loss by the Liberal Democratic Party (ldp) in summer elections of the upper house of the Diet (parliament). The ldp had been the biggest party there for half a century. Never before have opposing parties controlled the two chambers-for whereas the Democratic Party of Japan (dpj) now has the upper house, the ldp and its ally, New Komeito, have a hefty majority in the lower one. The constitution scarcely foresaw arn divided government, so the political system faces huge uncertainty. The government of Yasuo Fukuda has seen its popularity rise since he took over last month from Shinzo Abe, who resigned as prime minister after a terrible year. But the government could yet fall. If it survives, it is not clear how it can pass laws. So already murky prospects for tackling urgent problems—a high national debt, an ageing society, pension obligations and defining Japan's place abroad—have got even murkier. Yet among many politicians, a palpable thrill has supplanted the usual drudgery. Thern ambitious sniff a chance for personal advancement, but also to remake their parties—and even the political structure.
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