# Leader of the Opposition (Japan)

The leader of the Opposition (Japan) is the leader of the main opposition party who is not in power. This is not the official position established by law. As a result of the 2024 Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan presidential election, Japanese ex-PM Yoshihiko Noda became the leader of the Opposition.

## Overview

Under the 1955 System, the chairman of the Japan Socialist Party (JSP) served as the leader of the Opposition. In particular, Takako Doi showed leadership as the first female opposition leader, and in the 1989 Japanese House of Councillors election, the JSP won a victory over the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the popular vote. This movement is called the Madonna Whirlwind because many female candidates won.
After the collapse of the 1955 System, the leaders of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and the DPJ succeeding parties have been the leaders of the Opposition.
In 2000, as part of political reform, the question time was introduced to the Diet of Japan, and the opposition leader's role as the Leader of the Opposition has increased. In particular, at question Time in 2012, opposition leader Shinzo Abe, the President of the LDP, drew attention by making Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promise to dissolve the House of Representatives.
In the 2014 Japanese general election, Banri Kaieda failed to win seats in both the constituency and proportional representation block. The failure of the incumbent opposition leader was the first in 65 years since Tetsu Katayama's defeat in the 1949 Japanese general election and the first since the transition to a parallel voting system in 1994.

## List of Leaders of the Opposition (1947-present)

* Rep = Member of the House of Representatives
* Cou = Member of the House of Councillors
| Portrait | Name Electoral District | Party | Party | Term of Office | Term of Office | Term of Office | General Elections | Ref | Government | Government | Government | Government |
| Portrait | Name Electoral District | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Duration | General Elections | Ref | Party | Party | Cabinet | Prime Minister |
| | Shigeru Yoshida Rep for Kōchi at-large (1878-1967) | | Liberal | 24 May 1947 | 15 October 1948 | 1 year, 145 days | ー | | | Socialist | Katayama | Tetsu Katayama |
| | Shigeru Yoshida Rep for Kōchi at-large (1878-1967) | | Democratic Liberal | 24 May 1947 | 15 October 1948 | 1 year, 145 days | ー | | | Democratic | Ashida | Hitoshi Ashida |
| | Tetsu Katayama Rep for Kanagawa 3rd (1887-1978) | | Socialist | 15 October 1948 | 23 January 1949 | 93 days | 1949 | | | Democratic Liberal | Yoshida II | Shigeru Yoshida |
| | Takeru Inukai Rep for Okayama 2nd (1896-1960) | | Democratic | 23 January 1949 | 10 February 1950 | 1 year, 19 days | ー | | | Democratic Liberal | Yoshida III | Shigeru Yoshida |
| Vacant 10 February 1950 - 28 April 1950 | Vacant 10 February 1950 - 28 April 1950 | Vacant 10 February 1950 - 28 April 1950 | Vacant 10 February 1950 - 28 April 1950 | Vacant 10 February 1950 - 28 April 1950 | Vacant 10 February 1950 - 28 April 1950 | Vacant 10 February 1950 - 28 April 1950 | Vacant 10 February 1950 - 28 April 1950 | Vacant 10 February 1950 - 28 April 1950 | | Liberal | Yoshida III | Shigeru Yoshida |
| | Gizo Tomabechi Rep for Aomori 1st (1880-1959) | | National Democratic | 28 April 1950 | 8 February 1952 | 1 year, 287 days | ー | | | Liberal | Yoshida III | Shigeru Yoshida |
| Shigeru Yoshida |||||||||
| | Mamoru Shigemitsu Rep for Ōita 2nd (1887-1957) | | Kaishintō | 13 June 1952 | 24 November 1954 | 2 years, 165 days | 1952 | | | Liberal | Yoshida III | Shigeru Yoshida |
| | Mamoru Shigemitsu Rep for Ōita 2nd (1887-1957) | | Kaishintō | 13 June 1952 | 24 November 1954 | 2 years, 165 days | 1953 | | | Liberal | Yoshida IV | Shigeru Yoshida |
| | Mamoru Shigemitsu Rep for Ōita 2nd (1887-1957) | | Kaishintō | 13 June 1952 | 24 November 1954 | 2 years, 165 days | ー | | | Liberal | Yoshida V | Shigeru Yoshida |
| | Ichirō Hatoyama Rep for Tokyo 1st (1883-1959) | | Japan Democratic | 24 November 1954 | 10 December 1954 | 17 days | ー | | | Liberal | Yoshida V | Shigeru Yoshida |
| | Taketora Ogata Rep for Fukuoka 1st (1888-1956) | | Liberal | 10 December 1954 | 13 October 1955 | 308 days | 1955 | | | Japan Democratic | Hatoyama I | Ichirō Hatoyama |
| | Taketora Ogata Rep for Fukuoka 1st (1888-1956) | | Liberal | 10 December 1954 | 13 October 1955 | 308 days | ー | | | Japan Democratic | Hatoyama II | Ichirō Hatoyama |
| | Mosaburō Suzuki Rep for Tokyo 3rd (1893-1970) | | Socialist | 13 October 1955 | 23 March 1960 | 4 years, 163 days | ー | | | Japan Democratic | Hatoyama II | Ichirō Hatoyama |
| | Mosaburō Suzuki Rep for Tokyo 3rd (1893-1970) | | Socialist | 13 October 1955 | 23 March 1960 | 4 years, 163 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Hatoyama III | Ichirō Hatoyama |
| | Mosaburō Suzuki Rep for Tokyo 3rd (1893-1970) | | Socialist | 13 October 1955 | 23 March 1960 | 4 years, 163 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Ishibashi | Tanzan Ishibashi |
| | Mosaburō Suzuki Rep for Tokyo 3rd (1893-1970) | | Socialist | 13 October 1955 | 23 March 1960 | 4 years, 163 days | 1958 | | | Liberal Democratic | Kishi I | Nobusuke Kishi |
| | Mosaburō Suzuki Rep for Tokyo 3rd (1893-1970) | | Socialist | 13 October 1955 | 23 March 1960 | 4 years, 163 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Kishi II | Nobusuke Kishi |
| | Inejirō Asanuma Rep for Tokyo 1st (1898-1960) | | Socialist | 23 March 1960 | 12 October 1960 | 204 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Kishi II | Nobusuke Kishi |
| | Inejirō Asanuma Rep for Tokyo 1st (1898-1960) | | Socialist | 23 March 1960 | 12 October 1960 | 204 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Ikeda I | Hayato Ikeda |
| | Saburō Eda (Acting) Cou for Okayama at-large (1907-1977) | | Socialist | 12 October 1960 | 6 March 1961 | 146 days | 1960 | | | Liberal Democratic | Ikeda I | Hayato Ikeda |
| | Saburō Eda (Acting) Cou for Okayama at-large (1907-1977) | | Socialist | 12 October 1960 | 6 March 1961 | 146 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Ikeda II | Hayato Ikeda |
| | Jōtarō Kawakami Rep for Hyōgo 1st (1889-1965) | | Socialist | 6 March 1961 | 6 May 1965 | 4 years, 62 days | 1963 | | | Liberal Democratic | Ikeda II | Hayato Ikeda |
| | Jōtarō Kawakami Rep for Hyōgo 1st (1889-1965) | | Socialist | 6 March 1961 | 6 May 1965 | 4 years, 62 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Ikeda III | Hayato Ikeda |
| | Jōtarō Kawakami Rep for Hyōgo 1st (1889-1965) | | Socialist | 6 March 1961 | 6 May 1965 | 4 years, 62 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Satō I | Eisaku Satō |
| | Kōzō Sasaki Rep for Miyagi 1st (1900-1985) | | Socialist | 6 May 1965 | 19 August 1967 | 2 years, 106 days | 1967 | | | Liberal Democratic | Satō I | Eisaku Satō |
| | Kōzō Sasaki Rep for Miyagi 1st (1900-1985) | | Socialist | 6 May 1965 | 19 August 1967 | 2 years, 106 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Satō II | Eisaku Satō |
| | Seiichi Katsumata Rep for Shizuoka 2nd (1908-1989) | | Socialist | 19 August 1967 | 4 October 1968 | 1 year, 47 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Satō II | Eisaku Satō |
| Eisaku Satō |||||||||
| | Tomomi Narita Rep for Kagawa 1st (1912-1979) | | Socialist | 30 November 1968 | 13 December 1977 | 9 years, 14 days | 1969 | | | Liberal Democratic | Satō II | Eisaku Satō |
| | Tomomi Narita Rep for Kagawa 1st (1912-1979) | | Socialist | 30 November 1968 | 13 December 1977 | 9 years, 14 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Satō III | Eisaku Satō |
| | Tomomi Narita Rep for Kagawa 1st (1912-1979) | | Socialist | 30 November 1968 | 13 December 1977 | 9 years, 14 days | 1972 | | | Liberal Democratic | Tanaka I | Kakuei Tanaka |
| | Tomomi Narita Rep for Kagawa 1st (1912-1979) | | Socialist | 30 November 1968 | 13 December 1977 | 9 years, 14 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Tanaka II | Kakuei Tanaka |
| | Tomomi Narita Rep for Kagawa 1st (1912-1979) | | Socialist | 30 November 1968 | 13 December 1977 | 9 years, 14 days | 1976 | | | Liberal Democratic | Miki | Takeo Miki |
| | Tomomi Narita Rep for Kagawa 1st (1912-1979) | | Socialist | 30 November 1968 | 13 December 1977 | 9 years, 14 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Fukuda | Takeo Fukuda |
| | Ichio Asukata Mayor of Yokohama ↓ Rep for Tokyo 1st (1915-1990) | | Socialist | 13 December 1977 | 7 September 1983 | 5 years, 269 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Fukuda | Takeo Fukuda |
| | Ichio Asukata Mayor of Yokohama ↓ Rep for Tokyo 1st (1915-1990) | | Socialist | 13 December 1977 | 7 September 1983 | 5 years, 269 days | 1979 | | | Liberal Democratic | Ōhira I | Masayoshi Ōhira |
| | Ichio Asukata Mayor of Yokohama ↓ Rep for Tokyo 1st (1915-1990) | | Socialist | 13 December 1977 | 7 September 1983 | 5 years, 269 days | 1980 | | | Liberal Democratic | Ōhira II | Masayoshi Ōhira |
| | Ichio Asukata Mayor of Yokohama ↓ Rep for Tokyo 1st (1915-1990) | | Socialist | 13 December 1977 | 7 September 1983 | 5 years, 269 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | ー | Masayoshi Ito Acting |
| | Ichio Asukata Mayor of Yokohama ↓ Rep for Tokyo 1st (1915-1990) | | Socialist | 13 December 1977 | 7 September 1983 | 5 years, 269 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Suzuki | Zenkō Suzuki |
| | Ichio Asukata Mayor of Yokohama ↓ Rep for Tokyo 1st (1915-1990) | | Socialist | 13 December 1977 | 7 September 1983 | 5 years, 269 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Nakasone I | Yasuhiro Nakasone |
| | Masashi Ishibashi Rep for Nagasaki 2nd (1924-2019) | | Socialist | 7 September 1983 | 8 September 1986 | 3 years, 2 days | 1983 | | | Liberal Democratic | Nakasone I | Yasuhiro Nakasone |
| | Masashi Ishibashi Rep for Nagasaki 2nd (1924-2019) | | Socialist | 7 September 1983 | 8 September 1986 | 3 years, 2 days | 1986 | | | Liberal Democratic | Nakasone II | Yasuhiro Nakasone |
| | Masashi Ishibashi Rep for Nagasaki 2nd (1924-2019) | | Socialist | 7 September 1983 | 8 September 1986 | 3 years, 2 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Nakasone III | Yasuhiro Nakasone |
| | Takako Doi Rep for Hyōgo 2nd (1928-2014) | | Socialist | 8 September 1986 | 31 July 1991 | 4 years, 327 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Nakasone III | Yasuhiro Nakasone |
| | Takako Doi Rep for Hyōgo 2nd (1928-2014) | | Socialist | 8 September 1986 | 31 July 1991 | 4 years, 327 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Uno | Sōsuke Uno |
| | Takako Doi Rep for Hyōgo 2nd (1928-2014) | | Socialist | 8 September 1986 | 31 July 1991 | 4 years, 327 days | 1990 | | | Liberal Democratic | Kaifu I | Toshiki Kaifu |
| | Takako Doi Rep for Hyōgo 2nd (1928-2014) | | Socialist | 8 September 1986 | 31 July 1991 | 4 years, 327 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Kaifu II | Toshiki Kaifu |
| | Makoto Tanabe Rep for Gunma 1st (1922-2015) | | Socialist | 31 July 1991 | 19 January 1993 | 1 year, 173 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Kaifu II | Toshiki Kaifu |
| | Makoto Tanabe Rep for Gunma 1st (1922-2015) | | Socialist | 31 July 1991 | 19 January 1993 | 1 year, 173 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Miyazawa | Kiichi Miyazawa |
| | Sadao Yamahana Rep for Tokyo 11th (1936-1999) | | Socialist | 19 January 1993 | 9 August 1993 | 203 days | 1993 | | | Liberal Democratic | Miyazawa | Kiichi Miyazawa |
| | Yōhei Kōno Rep for Kanagawa 5th (born 1937) | | Liberal Democratic | 9 August 1993 | 30 June 1994 | 326 days | ー | | | Japan New | Hosokawa | Morihiro Hosokawa |
| | Yōhei Kōno Rep for Kanagawa 5th (born 1937) | | Liberal Democratic | 9 August 1993 | 30 June 1994 | 326 days | ー | | | Japan Renewal | Hata | Tsutomu Hata |
| | Tsutomu Hata Rep for Nagano 2nd (1935-2017) | | Japan Renewal | 30 June 1994 | 10 December 1994 | 164 days | ー | | | Socialist | Murayama | Tomiichi Murayama |
| | Toshiki Kaifu Rep for Aichi 3rd (1931-2022) | | New Frontier | 10 December 1994 | 28 December 1995 | 1 year, 19 days | ー | | | Socialist | Murayama | Tomiichi Murayama |
| | Ichirō Ozawa Rep for Iwate 2nd ↓ Rep for Iwate 4th (born 1942) | | New Frontier | 28 December 1995 | 31 December 1997 | 2 years, 4 days | ー | | | Socialist | Murayama | Tomiichi Murayama |
| | Ichirō Ozawa Rep for Iwate 2nd ↓ Rep for Iwate 4th (born 1942) | | New Frontier | 28 December 1995 | 31 December 1997 | 2 years, 4 days | 1996 | | | Liberal Democratic | Hashimoto I | Ryutaro Hashimoto |
| | Ichirō Ozawa Rep for Iwate 2nd ↓ Rep for Iwate 4th (born 1942) | | New Frontier | 28 December 1995 | 31 December 1997 | 2 years, 4 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Hashimoto II | Ryutaro Hashimoto |
| | Naoto Kan Rep for Tokyo 18th (born 1946) | | Democratic | 31 December 1997 | 25 September 1999 | 1 year, 269 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Hashimoto II | Ryutaro Hashimoto |
| | Naoto Kan Rep for Tokyo 18th (born 1946) | | Democratic | 31 December 1997 | 25 September 1999 | 1 year, 269 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Hashimoto II | Ryutaro Hashimoto |
| | Naoto Kan Rep for Tokyo 18th (born 1946) | | Democratic | 31 December 1997 | 25 September 1999 | 1 year, 269 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Obuchi | Keizō Obuchi |
| | Yukio Hatoyama Rep for Hokkaido 9th (born 1947) | | Democratic | 25 September 1999 | 10 December 2002 | 3 years, 77 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Obuchi | Keizō Obuchi |
| | Yukio Hatoyama Rep for Hokkaido 9th (born 1947) | | Democratic | 25 September 1999 | 10 December 2002 | 3 years, 77 days | 2000 | | | Liberal Democratic | Mori I | Yoshirō Mori |
| | Yukio Hatoyama Rep for Hokkaido 9th (born 1947) | | Democratic | 25 September 1999 | 10 December 2002 | 3 years, 77 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Mori II | Yoshirō Mori |
| | Yukio Hatoyama Rep for Hokkaido 9th (born 1947) | | Democratic | 25 September 1999 | 10 December 2002 | 3 years, 77 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Koizumi I | Junichiro Koizumi |
| | Naoto Kan Rep for Tokyo 18th (born 1946) | | Democratic | 10 December 2002 | 18 May 2004 | 1 year, 161 days | 2003 | | | Liberal Democratic | Koizumi I | Junichiro Koizumi |
| | Naoto Kan Rep for Tokyo 18th (born 1946) | | Democratic | 10 December 2002 | 18 May 2004 | 1 year, 161 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Koizumi II | Junichiro Koizumi |
| | Katsuya Okada Rep for Mie 3rd (born 1953) | | Democratic | 18 May 2004 | 17 September 2005 | 1 year, 123 days | 2005 | | | Liberal Democratic | Koizumi II | Junichiro Koizumi |
| | Seiji Maehara Rep for Kyoto 2nd (born 1962) | | Democratic | 17 September 2005 | 7 April 2006 | 203 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Koizumi II | Junichiro Koizumi |
| | Seiji Maehara Rep for Kyoto 2nd (born 1962) | | Democratic | 17 September 2005 | 7 April 2006 | 203 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Koizumi III | Junichiro Koizumi |
| | Ichirō Ozawa Rep for Iwate 4th (born 1942) | | Democratic | 7 April 2006 | 16 May 2009 | 3 years, 40 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Koizumi III | Junichiro Koizumi |
| | Ichirō Ozawa Rep for Iwate 4th (born 1942) | | Democratic | 7 April 2006 | 16 May 2009 | 3 years, 40 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Abe I | Shinzo Abe |
| | Ichirō Ozawa Rep for Iwate 4th (born 1942) | | Democratic | 7 April 2006 | 16 May 2009 | 3 years, 40 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Fukuda | Yasuo Fukuda |
| | Ichirō Ozawa Rep for Iwate 4th (born 1942) | | Democratic | 7 April 2006 | 16 May 2009 | 3 years, 40 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Asō | Tarō Asō |
| | Yukio Hatoyama Rep for Hokkaido 9th (born 1947) | | Democratic | 16 May 2009 | 16 September 2009 | 124 days | 2009 | | | Liberal Democratic | Asō | Tarō Asō |
| | Masatoshi Wakabayashi (Acting) Cou for Nagano at-large (1934-2023) | | Liberal Democratic | 16 September 2009 | 28 September 2009 | 13 days | ー | | | Democratic | Hatoyama | Yukio Hatoyama |
| | Sadakazu Tanigaki Rep for Kyoto 5th (born 1945) | | Liberal Democratic | 28 September 2009 | 26 September 2012 | 2 years, 365 days | ー | | | Democratic | Hatoyama | Yukio Hatoyama |
| | Sadakazu Tanigaki Rep for Kyoto 5th (born 1945) | | Liberal Democratic | 28 September 2009 | 26 September 2012 | 2 years, 365 days | ー | | | Democratic | Kan | Naoto Kan |
| | Sadakazu Tanigaki Rep for Kyoto 5th (born 1945) | | Liberal Democratic | 28 September 2009 | 26 September 2012 | 2 years, 365 days | ー | | | Democratic | Noda | Yoshihiko Noda |
| | Shinzo Abe Rep for Yamaguchi 4th (1954-2022) | | Liberal Democratic | 26 September 2012 | 26 December 2012 | 92 days | 2012 | | | Democratic | Noda | Yoshihiko Noda |
| | Banri Kaieda Rep for Tokyo PR block (born 1949) | | Democratic | 26 December 2012 | 15 December 2014 | 1 year, 355 days | 2014 | | | Liberal Democratic | Abe II | Shinzo Abe |
| Vacant 15 December 2014 - 18 January 2015 | Vacant 15 December 2014 - 18 January 2015 | Vacant 15 December 2014 - 18 January 2015 | Vacant 15 December 2014 - 18 January 2015 | Vacant 15 December 2014 - 18 January 2015 | Vacant 15 December 2014 - 18 January 2015 | Vacant 15 December 2014 - 18 January 2015 | Vacant 15 December 2014 - 18 January 2015 | Vacant 15 December 2014 - 18 January 2015 | | Liberal Democratic | Abe III | Shinzo Abe |
| | Katsuya Okada Rep for Mie 3rd (born 1953) | | Democratic | 18 January 2015 | 15 September 2016 | 1 year, 242 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Abe III | Shinzo Abe |
| | Katsuya Okada Rep for Mie 3rd (born 1953) | | Democratic | 18 January 2015 | 15 September 2016 | 1 year, 242 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Abe III | Shinzo Abe |
| | Renhō Cou for Tokyo at-large (born 1967) | | Democratic | 18 September 2016 | 1 September 2017 | 352 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Abe III | Shinzo Abe |
| | Seiji Maehara Rep for Kyoto 2nd (born 1962) | | Democratic | 1 September 2017 | 22 October 2017 | 52 days | 2017 | | | Liberal Democratic | Abe III | Shinzo Abe |
| | Yukio Edano Rep for Saitama 5th (born 1964) | | Former Constitutional Democratic | 22 October 2017 | 30 November 2021 | 4 years, 40 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Abe IV | Shinzo Abe |
| | Yukio Edano Rep for Saitama 5th (born 1964) | | Constitutional Democratic | 22 October 2017 | 30 November 2021 | 4 years, 40 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Abe IV | Shinzo Abe |
| | Yukio Edano Rep for Saitama 5th (born 1964) | | Constitutional Democratic | 22 October 2017 | 30 November 2021 | 4 years, 40 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Suga | Yoshihide Suga |
| | Yukio Edano Rep for Saitama 5th (born 1964) | | Constitutional Democratic | 22 October 2017 | 30 November 2021 | 4 years, 40 days | 2021 | | | Liberal Democratic | Kishida I | Fumio Kishida |
| | Yukio Edano Rep for Saitama 5th (born 1964) | | Constitutional Democratic | 22 October 2017 | 30 November 2021 | 4 years, 40 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Kishida II | Fumio Kishida |
| | Kenta Izumi Rep for Kyoto 3rd (born 1974) | | Constitutional Democratic | 30 November 2021 | 23 September 2024 | 2 years, 299 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Kishida II | Fumio Kishida |
| | Yoshihiko Noda Rep for Chiba 4th ↓ Rep for Chiba 14th (born 1957) | | Constitutional Democratic | 23 September 2024 | Incumbent | 167 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Kishida II | Fumio Kishida |
| | Yoshihiko Noda Rep for Chiba 4th ↓ Rep for Chiba 14th (born 1957) | | Constitutional Democratic | 23 September 2024 | Incumbent | 167 days | 2024 | | | Liberal Democratic | Ishiba I | Shigeru Ishiba |
| | Yoshihiko Noda Rep for Chiba 4th ↓ Rep for Chiba 14th (born 1957) | | Constitutional Democratic | 23 September 2024 | Incumbent | 167 days | ー | | | Liberal Democratic | Ishiba II | Shigeru Ishiba |