since 1998 the Liberal Party (Jiyuto), but also the Good Governance Party (Minseito), the New Fraternity Party (Shinto-Yuai) and the Democratic Reform Party (Minshu-Kaikaku-Rengo) 2000: Dissidents of the Liberal Party formed the New Conservative Party (Hoshuto) 2003: The Liberal Party merged into the ⇒ Democratic Party of Japan 2012: People's Life First split from the Democratic Party of Japan 2012: People's Life First split into a new Liberal Party and Tomorrow Party of Japan 2013: Tomorrow Party of Japan dissolved 2019: Liberal Party merged into DPP New Party Harbinger 1993: A liberal faction of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (Jiyu-Minshuto) seceded as the New Party Harbinger (Shinto Sakigake) 1996: Most members co-found the ⇒ Democratic Party of Japan 1998: The party evolved in conservative direction, renamed into Harbinger (Sakigake) and further renamed in 2002 into Green Assembly (Midori No Kaigi) Democratic Party of Japan (1998–2016) 1996: Dissidents from the New Party Harbinger and the Social Democratic Party founded the Democratic Party of Japan (1996) (Minshuto) 1998: The party merged with the Good Governance Party (Minseito), the New Fraternity Party (Shinto-Yuai) and the Democratic Reform Party (Minshu-Kaikaku-Rengo) to form a new, enlarged Democratic Party of Japan (1998) (Minshuto, 民主党) 2003: The Liberal Party merged into the party 2016: The Democratic Party of Japan merged with Japan Innovation Party and Vision of Reform to form the Democratic Party (Minshinto, 民進党) CDP and DPP (2016–present) 2017: The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (Rikken Minshuto, 立憲民主党) is formed as a centre-left social liberal party split from the Democratic Party. 2018: The remaining Democratic Party merged with Kibō no Tō and form the Democratic Party for the People (Kokumin Minshutō, 国民民主党), which includes liberals and conservatives. 2020: The majority faction of DPP merged into the new CDP, while the minority faction remain in the DPP. Liberal leaders Yukio Hatoyama – Prime Minister of Japan from 16 September 2009 to 8 June 2010, Leader of the DPJ (1999–2002, 2009–2010) Naoto Kan – Prime Minister of Japan from 8 June 2010 to 2 September 2011, Leader of the DPJ (1998–1999, 2002–2004, 2010–2011) Yoshihiko Noda – Prime Minister of Japan from 2 September 2011 to 26 December 2012, Leader of the DPJ (2011–2012) Yukio Edano – Leader of the Opposition (2017–2021). Liberal thinkers Fukuzawa Yukichi Itagaki Taisuke Yukio Ozaki Tokuzō Fukuda Masao Maruyama See also History of Japan Politics of Japan List of political parties in Japan Mainichi