New Frontier Party (Japan)
The New Frontier Party was formed in the aftermath of the 1993-1994 grand coalition government. The coalition fell apart when the JSP left, leading the remaining members to consolidate into one organization. This party overtook the JSP as the second-largest in the Japanese Diet and served as the new opposition.
The party was short-lived, dissolving into factions by 1997.
Contents
Roots in the Grand Coalition
In the August 1993 general election, the LDP lost enough seats for a grand coalition government to form. This government was largely a creation of the Japan Renewal Party (新生党), a new party formed by LDP breakaways.
Morihiro Hosokawa (細川 護煕), leader of Japan New Party (日本新党), served as the prime minister. He resigned after just 8 months due to a scandal. This prompted the JSP to leave the coalition, leaving it without a legitimate claim to power. Tsutomu Hata (羽田 孜), ex-officio leader of the Japan Renewal Party, led for 2 months; he then resigned rather than face a vote of no confidence.
A coalition of the LDP and JSP took power in April 1994.
Formation
The Japan Renewal Party again maneuvered for consolidation. In December 1993, they merged with the Japan New Party, the Democratic Socialist Party, and several new LDP breakaways to form the New Frontier Party. Former LDP prime minister Toshiki Kaifu (海部 俊樹) served as the first leader.
In the subsequent 1995 leadership contest, the leading candidates were both of the Japan Renewal Party. The de-facto leader, Ichiro Ozawa (小沢一郎), beat out former prime minister Hata. Note that Ozawa himself was a founder and former leader of the LDP. As such, both leaders of the 'anti-LDP' party were in fact LDP leaders.
Opposition Party