But the more common view seems to be that, despite the makeover, the party is as corrupt as ever -- a fact that voters seem willing to overlook if it can steer the country to safer and more tranquil waters.

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But an attempt to give the party a moderate makeover last year failed.

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The number of finance-related scandals and the power of the faction leaders at the expense of the prime minister are reminiscent of the LDP during Mr Mori's era, before the public image of the party was given a much-needed makeover by his flamboyant successor (and Mr Abe's predecessor), Junichiro Koizumi.

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