Democratic Party of Japan

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is the largest opposition party in Japan. It was formed on April 27, 1998 as the new Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) by four opposition parties: the former Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the Home Affairs Party (HDP), the Friendship New Party (FNP), and the United for Democratic Reform (UDR). The current head of the party (representative of the Permanent Board of Directors) is Mari Kaieda. The DPJ calls for the establishment of a free and secure society, and insists on opposing the Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine in order to avoid inciting conflict with neighboring countries.