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ANALYSIS: Japan politics could fragment further on road to 2-party system

REUTERS

2012/11/21

Lower House lawmakers shout "Banzai!" three times upon hearing the Speaker of the House deliver an imperial rescript dissolving the House. They have just lost their jobs, and therefore crying "Banzai!" might seem strange. The reason for the tradition is unclear, but one theory is that it dates back to the former Japanese constitutional monarchy--when lawmakers would express their respect for the emperor. (Shiro Nishihata)

Japan ruling party lawmaker Mieko Nakabayashi isn't just worried that her Democratic Party will lose power in next month's election; she fears a comeback by rival conservative Liberal Democrats will spell a return to the prolonged one-party rule that critics blame for many of the country's past policy ills.