Factions
The DPJ has some political factions or groups, although they are not as factionalized as the LDP, which has traditionally placed high priority on intra-party factional alignment. The groups are, from the most influential to the least influential:
- Ryōun-kai: the second most conservative faction. Most of its members are from The Sakigake Party. Ryoun-kai has about 40 seats in the assembly and is led by Seiji Maehara and Yoshihiko Noda.
- Seiken kōyaku wo Jitsugen suru kai: formed by defectors from LDP and led by former party leader Yukio Hatoyama, has about conservative 30 lawmakers in the Diet. Former name is 'Seiken kotai wo Jitsugen suru kai'.
- Minsha Kyōkai: members of the former centrist Democratic Socialist Party which merged with the DPJ early on. About 25 members, led by Tatsuo Kawabata.
- Kuni no katachi kenkyūkai: led by Party President Naoto Kan. Is a liberal leaning faction. About 20 members.
- Shin seikyoku kondankai: the most left-leaning faction, created by members of the former Japan Socialist Party who felt the Social Democratic Party was too radical. About 20 seats, led by Takahiro Yokomichi.
The Independent’s Club is a minor political party which forms a political entity with the DPJ in both chambers of the house.
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