Japanese opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa resigned on Monday following a fundraising scandal, which is expected to improve his party's chances in the upcoming election. The Democratic Party's lead in polls had narrowed after the scandal, but Ozawa's resignation aims to strengthen party unity for a clear victory in the next election and bring about a change in government. The Democrats have promised to reduce bureaucratic interference in policy-making, prioritize consumer and worker rights over corporate interests, and pursue a more independent diplomatic stance from the United States. Ozawa's departure is not expected to change the political landscape significantly, but it may prompt the LDP to introduce additional stimulus plans to attract voters. A 15 trillion yen spending package is currently being discussed in parliament. The financial markets showed little reaction to Ozawa's resignation, with the yen trading slightly lower initially but remaining largely unchanged for the day. Prime Minister Aso mentioned that Ozawa's resignation will not affect the timing of the election, with speculation pointing towards a possible August vote. Hidenori Suezawa, chief strategist at Daiwa Securities SMBC, stated that with (Ozawa) no longer in the picture, Prime Minister Aso may choose to focus on aggressive economic stimulus measures to attract voters instead of dissolving parliament. Analysts believe that although replacing Ozawa may increase the Democrats' electoral prospects, not all the negative effects of his leadership will be quickly resolved. Independent political commentator Minoru Morita noted that there was widespread dissatisfaction with Ozawa, and his absence could significantly benefit the Democrats. Ozawa's departure may pave the way for a younger leader to take over, with potential candidates being former party leaders Katsuya Okada, known for advocating for stricter climate policies and considered the frontrunner, and Seiji Maehara, an expert in conservative security policies. Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, who are also former leaders and deputies of Ozawa, are also being considered as potential successors. Ozawa, a skilled campaign strategist, has been influential in Japanese politics for nearly two decades, having left the LDP and briefly replaced it with a pro-reform coalition. The impact of his resignation on the Democrats' chances will depend on his replacement and how smoothly the transition occurs. This move is seen as essential in addressing the party's image problem. Gerry Curtis, a Columbia University professor and expert in Japanese politics, raised the question of who the Democratic Party will choose as their next leader and how they will make that decision. According to a Democratic Party source, the next leader will likely be selected through a vote among party lawmakers, possibly within a week or 10 days. A survey conducted by the Yomiuri newspaper before Ozawa's announcement showed that the Democrats still held a slight lead over the LDP, but many respondents questioned Ozawa's earlier decision to stay on. Yukihiro Nakagawa, an executive at a precision machinery company, stated that he had planned to submit a blank vote if Ozawa had stayed, but now he is considering voting for the Democrats depending on the policies they promise. The survey conducted by the Yomiuri newspaper before Ozawa's announcement revealed that 30 percent of respondents would vote for the Democrats in the upcoming election, compared to 27 percent for the LDP. Some analysts believe that Ozawa's resignation could lead to renewed calls within the LDP to replace the unpopular Aso, while others argue that there is no clear successor and Aso will likely try to retain his position.