Japan: A Novice Government's Political Dilemma

Tokyo's ruling political party, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), is approaching its first major political test after sweeping into office in August 2009, facing mounting disapproval at home over the relocation of a U.S. military base, tense relations with its East Asian neighbors and an interminable economic crisis. These setbacks, while troublesome for the DPJ, are perennial and part of Japan's tumultuous political cycles.