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President: Junichiro Koizumi
Secretary General: Shinzo Abe
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), also known as Jiyu Minshuto (自由民主党,
abbreviated to Jimin-to 自民党) is the biggest Japanese political party at
present (2003). It is not to be confused with the now-defunct Jiyuto
(Liberal Party).
The LDP was formed in 1955 and has since provided all prime ministers
except for the period between 1993 and 1996.
On November 10, 2003, the New Conservative Party (Hoshu Shinto) was
absorbed into the LDP ("Hoshu Shinto to merge with LDP").
Factions
The LDP has been a very factionalized party for most of its history.
There are currently five major factions in the LDP. From most to least
powerful, they are:
Heisei Kenkyukai (Hashimoto Faction), founded by PM Hashimoto Ryutaro.
Koizumi is a member of this faction. The Hashimoto faction was preceded by
the Takeshita Faction of Takeshita Noboru. It is now led by Koizumi in the
lower house and Aoki Mikio in the upper house.
Shisuikai (Eto-Kamei Faction), led by Eto Takami and Kamei Shizuka.
Kochikai (Ozato Faction), led by Ozato Sadatoshi. It was led by Kato
Koichi and known as the Kato Faction until it split in 2001.
Bancho Seisaku Kenkyukai (Komura Faction), led by Komura Masahiko.
Taiyukai (Kono Faction), led by Kono Yohei. The other half of the former
Kato faction.
The most famous faction in the LDP's history was the Tanaka Faction, led
by PM Tanaka Kakuei: it was particularly strong in the seventies and
eighties, but collapsed in 1987.
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