If a situation is deemed an emergency, the government then will seek ex post facto Diet backing. By sticking to its dovish tenets, the Democratic Party of Japan marginalized itself in this debate. Not surprisingly, the DPJ initiative failed. The only parties to oppose all three bills were the Social Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Communist Party. Mr. Obuchi, whose leadership has been under attack since he entered office last July, surprised critics by accomplishing what he set out to do.
Most commentators anticipate a favorable response.