New Frontier Party

The New Frontier Party (新進党) was a center-right party in Japan that operated from 1994 until 1997. While many political parties participated in the founding, it was the Japan Renewal Party that dictated policy and direction.

After the JSP left the grand coalition government, the remaining members consolidated into this party. They overtook the JSP as the second-largest party and served as the opposition.

History

Background 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 in April 1994 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 June 1994.

Formation

While the coalition government was collapsing, 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 served as the first leader.

This party was immediately the second-largest, and would serve as the opposition to the next several governments.

In the subsequent 1995 leadership contest, the leading candidates were both of the Japan Renewal Party. The de-facto leader, Ichirou Ozawa, 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

Dissolution

The party dissolved into several factions that would eventually re-merge to form the Democratic Party of Japan.

Ozawa founded the Liberal Party, which would join the DPJ in 2003.

Leadership

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