The Liberal-Democratic Party was the ruling party in Japan, remaining in constant power from its formation in 1955 until August 1993. The party’s election success has varied from a bare majority in the crucial House of Representatives to nearly two-thirds majority. The party is conservative and broadly favors big business and the civil service, but at the same time, its economic policies brought prosperity to a very wide spectrum of society. The party was formed from two conservative parties which could trace their origins back to the two dominant parties in the pre-World War II era, but which were individually threatened by the rise of left-wing parties in the period 1945 to 1955. Since 1960, the party’s primary emphasis and success has been in fostering economic growth. Because it is composed of several factions, however, the party is not famous for it’s ability to come to quick, innovative decisions. Trade issues, foreign policy, and corruption have been problematic areas for the party in the 1980s and 1990s.
