 However, the movement for universal suffrage resurfaced in 1918-1919 with demonstrations held by student and labor associations and a sudden upsurge in interest by newspapers and popular journals.The opposition political parties, the Kenseikai and Rikken Kokumintō jumped on the bandwagon, whereas the governmental Rikken Seiyūkai still opposed.The liberal parties favored an increase in the popular franchise to keep up with the world trend to democracy and to provide a safety valve for both urban and rural discontent.