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The Japanese '''Liberal Democratic Party''' (<font size=3>自由民主党</font> ''Jiyū-Minshutō'') is the conservative, centre-right political party, currently in power in [[Japan]]. Abbreviated as the LDP (<font size=3>自民党</font> ''Jimintō'') it is Japan's largest political party.

The Japanese '''Liberal Democratic Party''' (<font size=3>自由民主党</font> ''Jiyū-Minshutō'') is the conservative, centre-right political party, currently in power in [[Japan]]. Abbreviated as the LDP (<font size=3>自民党</font> ''Jimintō'') it is Japan's largest political party.

The LDP's roots can be traced to the 1880s and the groups established by [[Itagaki Taisuke]] and [[Okuma Shigenobu]]. However, the party came into being in November 1955, when the conservative Liberal Party (Jiyuto <font size=3>自由党</font>) and the Japan Democratic Party (Nihon Minshuto <font size=3>日本民主党</font>) united in response to the threat posed by a unified Japan Socialist Party, which had been established the month before. This merger came about in light of public opinion and sentiments within the liberal democratic camp itself, which caused the movement towards a "conservative alliance" to gain momentum at the beginning of 1953. Then, in November of 1954, the Reform Party joined with the Japan Liberal Party to form the Japan Democratic Party (actually an ultra Nationalist Party) .

The LDP's roots can be traced to the 1880s and the groups established by [[Itagaki Taisuke]] and [[Okuma Shigenobu]]. However, the party came into being in November 1955, when the conservative Liberal Party (''Jiyuto'' <font size=3>自由党</font>) and the Japan Democratic Party (''Nihon Minshuto'' <font size=3>日本民主党</font>) united in response to the threat posed by a unified Japan Socialist Party, which had been established the month before. This merger came about in light of public opinion and sentiments within the liberal democratic camp itself, which caused the movement towards a "conservative alliance" to gain momentum at the beginning of 1953. Then, in November of 1954, the Reform Party joined with the Japan Liberal Party to form the Japan Democratic Party (actually an ultra Nationalist Party) .

It has retained control of the [[National Diet]] for over 45 years, the LDP supported Japan's alliance with the United States and fostered close links between Japanese business and government. Election statistics show that, while the LDP had been able to secure a majority in the twelve House of Representatives elections from May 1958 to February 1990. Following charges of corruption in Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa's government, it lost its parliamentary majority in the 1993 elections, which put a coalition government in power. In spite of numerous defections by LDP members of parliament over the party's failure to enact political reform, it remained Japan's largest political party. Since 1994, when the LDP returned to power, it has been the senior partner in a series of coalition governments.<ref>http://countrystudies.us/japan/122.htm</ref>

It has retained control of the [[National Diet]] for over 45 years, the LDP supported Japan's alliance with the United States and fostered close links between Japanese business and government. Election statistics show that, while the LDP had been able to secure a majority in the twelve House of Representatives elections from May 1958 to February 1990. Following charges of corruption in Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa's government, it lost its parliamentary majority in the 1993 elections, which put a coalition government in power. In spite of numerous defections by LDP members of parliament over the party's failure to enact political reform, it remained Japan's largest political party. Since 1994, when the LDP returned to power, it has been the senior partner in a series of coalition governments.<ref>http://countrystudies.us/japan/122.htm</ref>