The main opposition parties couldn't present an appealing policy to replace the ruling coalition. The people are unsatisfied with the status quo, but the favored opposition, the DPJ, was also unreliable, which led to the low voting rate. There was a strong resentment against the coalition in the major cities. This election revealed that this issue is going to be the center of conflict. In urban areas, white-collar workers pay their taxes, but get little in return.
Rural areas get high returns from the government, including public works and agricultural subsidies.
Whether or not the LDP and the DPJ will try to incorporate both urban and rural areas is unclear. The DPJ didn't do well in rural districts, and attention will be directed to whether or not the DPJ will compromise and start making seductive remarks that seem to appeal to voters in rural areas, or reluctantly adhere to policies appealing to urban areas. There is an overwhelming number of ruling party members who believe they suffered a close election because of Mori's gaffes. In the near future, there will be an energy within the LDP to drive off Mori with next year's Upper House election coming up. There will be a strong opinion among the Komei and New Conservative party members that they can't fight an election under Mori.