On May 7, according to reports from Japanese media, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) plans to establish a group supporting Sanae Hatakeyama as Prime Minister—the "National Power Research Association"—aimed at building a solid party foundation for her key policies. In fact, Hatakeyama previously published her book titled *National Power Research: A Stronger Japan Archipelago* in 2024. The name of the "National Power Research Association" is likely directly derived from this book and its core ideology. How should we interpret the establishment of this research group? Is it a loyalty test by Hatakeyama toward LDP members?
First, the "National Power Research Association" is primarily initiated and led by Taro Aso. As a veteran “kingmaker” within the party, Aso wields significant influence and played a crucial role in supporting Hatakeyama during her presidential election campaign. Other major initiators include Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Defense Minister Shinsuke Suzuki, Director General of the Policy Research Council Takashi Kobayashi, and key party figures such as Shigeru Ishiba (Chair of the Election Strategy Committee), and Matsunaga (Chair of the House of Councillors). These individuals come from diverse backgrounds, reflecting a cross-factional coalition. The association has extended invitations to all LDP Diet members to participate, aiming to consolidate broad support. Its inaugural meeting is planned to feature a speech by the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, focusing on foreign affairs and security issues. Currently, it has become a platform for Hatakeyama to advance important policies within the party, such as reforming the Imperial Household Law and revising the Peace Constitution—representing the consolidation of conservative forces within the LDP.
Second, the main reason behind Aso’s leadership in establishing the "National Power Research Association" lies in strengthening Hatakeyama’s internal party base. Although Hatakeyama won the presidential election and led the LDP to a sweeping victory in the Lower House election, her personal factional foundation remains relatively weak. Her network of party supporters needs further consolidation to counterbalance the ongoing activities of emerging policy groups and lingering factions within the LDP. In reality, not all LDP members are uniformly loyal to Hatakeyama. For example, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yoshimasa Hayashi was not invited to join. Under the traditional factional politics of the LDP, some moderate or ideologically divergent members may still hold reservations. Therefore, who joins and who does not could become a de facto "loyalty test" for Hatakeyama.
In fact, the "National Power Research Association" itself appears to carry factional political undertones, but more accurately represents a new form of post-factional era “policy groups” or “support blocs.” After the LDP disbanded most of its traditional factions due to political funding scandals, such research associations now operate under the guise of policy research while actually serving as mechanisms for personnel coordination and policy alignment—essentially functioning as successors to old factions. Led by key figures like Aso, the group brings together former cross-factional members, aiming to ensure the stability and continuity of Hatakeyama’s cabinet, exhibiting clear characteristics of a “quasi-faction.”
However, unlike traditional closed factions, the "National Power Research Association" openly calls on all party Diet members to participate, emphasizing “national power”—a personal brand associated with Hatakeyama and central to national strategy. At present, it appears relatively open. Yet, over the long term, if it evolves into a fixed interest group, it risks repeating the pitfalls of past factionalism and potentially triggering new divisions. Overall, this reflects a renewed manifestation of factional politics in a new form, underscoring how deeply entrenched factionalism remains in Japan’s political tradition.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864490025702410/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author(s).