
TOKYO -- Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito on Saturday marked the 20th anniversary since they formed a coalition government. In the past two decades the camp spent only three years out of power, thanks to a strong support base.
This ability to hold on to power offers a sharp contrast to the parties of other developed democracies, where political foundations are being rattled. Stability has enabled Team LDP-Komeito to shrug off a divided public and respond to a financial crisis, to create national security legislation and to twice raise the consumption tax.