Until the indictment of Takanori Okubo, at least, Mr Ozawa and his Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) looked certain to sweep the LDP-led coalition away in the election that must be held by September.

• 原本在他的秘书长大久保隆规遭到起诉之前，小泽一郎和他的民主党至少相当可望在九月大选将自民党的政治联盟扫荡一空。