Late last year, the New Frontier Party, led by Ozawa Ichiro, split six ways because of internal disagreements.

CNN: NEW EYE OF THE STORM

In the early 1990s, Takeshita shared his behind-the-scenes influence with two other shadow shoguns, former vice premier Kanemaru Shin and Ozawa Ichiro.

CNN: THE LAST SHADOW SHOGUN?

Opposition leader Mr. Ozawa Ichiro may have lots of ideas for reforming Japan, but he has turned out to be a flop as political tactician.

CNN: The Communists come back