Leonard J. Schoppa is a professor in the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia.

‘This very timely volume offers extremely valuable information on the latest developments in Japan’s political economy from many different perspectives.’ - Kuniaki Nemoto (Pacific Affairs vol 86:01:2013) ‘The book provides useful framework for understanding recent Japanese politics - even in the years after the book was published. This book skillfully illustrates how Japan transformed from the 1955 system to ultimately arrive at the dramatic 2009 election in which LDP lost power.’- Ethane Scheiner (Journal of Japanese Studies, vol 40:01:2014)

• Introduction: From the 1955 System to the “2000 System” by Leonard J Schoppa (University of Virginia) Path Dependence in the Evolution of Japan’s Party System Since 1993 by Leonard J SchoppaThe Evolution of the LDP’s Electoral Strategy: Toward a More Coherent Political Party by Steven R Reed (Chuo University)The Evolution of the DPJ as a Party: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back by Robert Weiner (Naval Postgraduate School)Issue Evolution and Electoral Politics in Contemporary Japan by Sherry L Martin (Cornell University)Ideas, Interests and Institutions: Japanese Postal Privatization in Comparative Perspective by Patricia L Maclachlan (University of Texas at Austin)Reforming Government Financial Institutions by A Maria Toyoda (Villanova University)The Impact of Two-Party Competition on Neo-liberal Reform and Labor Unions by Mari Miura (Sophia University)Conclusion: The Evolutionary Dance Continues With the DPJ Victory in 2009 by Leonard J Schoppa and Aiji Tanaka (Waseda University)

Leonard J. Schoppa is a professor in the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia.

‘This very timely volume offers extremely valuable information on the latest developments in Japan’s political economy from many different perspectives.’ - Kuniaki Nemoto (Pacific Affairs vol 86:01:2013) ‘The book provides useful framework for understanding recent Japanese politics - even in the years after the book was published. This book skillfully illustrates how Japan transformed from the 1955 system to ultimately arrive at the dramatic 2009 election in which LDP lost power.’- Ethane Scheiner (Journal of Japanese Studies, vol 40:01:2014)

• Introduction: From the 1955 System to the “2000 System” by Leonard J Schoppa (University of Virginia) Path Dependence in the Evolution of Japan’s Party System Since 1993 by Leonard J SchoppaThe Evolution of the LDP’s Electoral Strategy: Toward a More Coherent Political Party by Steven R Reed (Chuo University)The Evolution of the DPJ as a Party: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back by Robert Weiner (Naval Postgraduate School)Issue Evolution and Electoral Politics in Contemporary Japan by Sherry L Martin (Cornell University)Ideas, Interests and Institutions: Japanese Postal Privatization in Comparative Perspective by Patricia L Maclachlan (University of Texas at Austin)Reforming Government Financial Institutions by A Maria Toyoda (Villanova University)The Impact of Two-Party Competition on Neo-liberal Reform and Labor Unions by Mari Miura (Sophia University)Conclusion: The Evolutionary Dance Continues With the DPJ Victory in 2009 by Leonard J Schoppa and Aiji Tanaka (Waseda University)

Leonard J. Schoppa is a professor in the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia.

‘This very timely volume offers extremely valuable information on the latest developments in Japan’s political economy from many different perspectives.’ - Kuniaki Nemoto (Pacific Affairs vol 86:01:2013) ‘The book provides useful framework for understanding recent Japanese politics - even in the years after the book was published. This book skillfully illustrates how Japan transformed from the 1955 system to ultimately arrive at the dramatic 2009 election in which LDP lost power.’- Ethane Scheiner (Journal of Japanese Studies, vol 40:01:2014)

• Introduction: From the 1955 System to the “2000 System” by Leonard J Schoppa (University of Virginia) Path Dependence in the Evolution of Japan’s Party System Since 1993 by Leonard J SchoppaThe Evolution of the LDP’s Electoral Strategy: Toward a More Coherent Political Party by Steven R Reed (Chuo University)The Evolution of the DPJ as a Party: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back by Robert Weiner (Naval Postgraduate School)Issue Evolution and Electoral Politics in Contemporary Japan by Sherry L Martin (Cornell University)Ideas, Interests and Institutions: Japanese Postal Privatization in Comparative Perspective by Patricia L Maclachlan (University of Texas at Austin)Reforming Government Financial Institutions by A Maria Toyoda (Villanova University)The Impact of Two-Party Competition on Neo-liberal Reform and Labor Unions by Mari Miura (Sophia University)Conclusion: The Evolutionary Dance Continues With the DPJ Victory in 2009 by Leonard J Schoppa and Aiji Tanaka (Waseda University)