Opposition parties including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) made strides in the country's Oct. 27 general election, while the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito failed to secure a majority in the House of Representatives. With the ruling and opposition parties now on even footing, the CDP's role is being put to the test.

The LDP won 191 seats in the election, down 56 from before the race, signaling the collapse of a roughly 12-year period of dominance that had continued since the second administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The CDP, meanwhile, was boosted to 148 seats, an increase of 50, while the Democratic Party for the People quadrupled its force in the lower house to 28 seats.

The opposition parties did not make progress toward unifying their slates during the campaign, and in roughly 80% of the 289 single-seat constituencies, opposition candidates vied against each other. Even so, they collectively managed to outperform the ruling LDP-Komeito coalition.

A major reason for their success was that LDP opponents saw them as a viable alternative.

In its campaign, the CDP criticized the negative effects of LDP politics, from the slush funds scandal surrounding party factions to legislators' connections with the Unification Church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, and stressed, "A change of government is the greatest political reform."

Newly elected CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda, who took the helm in September, adopted a pragmatic line in his party's election campaign, aiming to win the support of centrist and conservative voters in addition to liberals who have conventionally supported the CDP. To a certain extent, this appears to have been well received.

However, the party's pledges during the election campaign were vague.

While promoting the revival of a large middle class, the party's strategy for raising wages and lifting the economy remained unclear. Further, it failed to sufficiently explain the mechanics of proposed partial tax exemptions and benefits to ease the burden of consumption tax in support of middle- and low-income earners, with little information on the source of funding or concrete plans.

It remains unclear how many voters actually wanted to entrust the government to the CDP.

Despite the ruling coalition losing its majority, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his intent to stay in office. However, the future of the government remains uncertain.

The CDP should coordinate with the opposition parties and pursue a new administration to replace the LDP-Komeito government.

Public trust in governance, which is foundational to implement policy, has plummeted due to the murky issue of "money in politics." The system of political funds must be fundamentally reformed, and a path for eliminating distrust in politics presented.

Meanwhile, deeply rooted dissatisfaction with existing political parties remains. Resistance to the LDP alone is not enough to meet the expectations of the people.

Politicians need to offer solutions addressing the high cost of living and other concerns relating to daily life, and hammer out persuasive policies on social security, diplomacy and national security, among other issues.