Democratic Party of Japan (1954–1955)

The Democratic Party of Japan ( Japanese 日本 民主党 , Nihon Minshutō ; English Japan Democratic Party , JDP ) was a conservative political party in Japan and a forerunner of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

The Democratic Party of Japan was founded in 1954 by Hatoyama Ichirō and his supporters, who left the Liberal Party of Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru in 1953 and organized first as the Hatoyama faction, then as the Liberal Party of Japan. Hatoyama, who had founded the Liberal Party in 1945 but was unable to become prime minister because the occupation authorities were banned from office, was increasingly dissatisfied with Yoshida's leadership after his return to politics. The members of the Kaishintō ( 改進 党 , "Progressive Party") of Shigemitsu Mamoru and Miki Takeo , who like Hatoyama (at this time) opposed the Yoshida doctrine and a stronger emancipation from , also participated in the establishment of the Democratic Party of Japan the United States called for.

In December 1954, Hatoyama, in cooperation with the socialists in parliament, succeeded in overthrowing Yoshida and taking over the government. He dissolved the Shūgiin, the lower house, and his party was the strongest force in the following Shūgiin election in 1955 , but did not have an absolute majority. After several months of negotiations, the Liberals and the Democratic Party agreed to merge to form the Liberal Democratic Party .

Democratic Party of Japan leaders

• Hatoyama Ichirō , party leader ( sōsai )
• Shigemitsu Mamoru , Deputy Party Chairman ( fuku-sōsai )
• Kishi Nobusuke , General Secretary
• Miki Bukichi , Chairman of the Executive Council ( sōmukai )

Japanese name: As is common in Japan, the family name comes before the first name in this article . Thus, Hatoyama is the family name, Ichirō the first name.