THE latest Japanese political developments prove Banboku Ono was absolutely right. Mr Ono, a noted conservative politician who helped found the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 1955, maintained that ''politics is total darkness, one inch ahead''.
In the middle of the afternoon of June 27, there was no indication of the upheaval to come. A period of perpetual darkness seemed likely. Many assumed that the Diet session, far from quickly resolving the current impasse, would be extended while intrigues continued in the smoke-filled backrooms.
The impasse had come about in the wake of the resignation of the reformist coalition led by Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata on June 23. At that moment, all the main strands in the situation were in play.
The LDP and the Japan Socialists had met amidst ostentatious cordiality on June 25. Beyond the smiles for the TV cameras from LDP leader Yohei Kono and Socialist leader Tomiichi Murayama, little substance was apparent.
So while it was assumed that a coalition between the two parties, aimed at restoring the ''1955 set-up'', was still possible, it was not thought to be immediately likely.
Both the LDP and the Socialists were formed in 1955 from previously separate factions. Until the upheavals of 1993, the LDP had enjoyed 38 uninterrupted years in office while the Socialists enjoyed 38 uninterrupted years in opposition. Meanwhile Japanese bureaucrats enjoyed 38 more years of rarely interrupted power-wielding while Japanese businesses enjoyed 38 years of rarely interrupted growth.
