Japanese opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa resigned on Monday following a fundraising scandal, which is expected to improve his party's chances in an upcoming election. The Democratic Party had been leading in polls, but the scandal has narrowed their lead, making the outcome less certain. Ozawa stated at a news conference that he is stepping down to strengthen party unity and achieve a change in government. The Democrats have promised to reduce bureaucratic influence, prioritize consumer and worker rights, and adopt a more independent diplomatic policy. Ozawa's departure is not expected to change the current political positions, but it may stimulate the LDP to introduce additional stimulus plans to attract voters. A 15 trillion yen spending package is already being processed in parliament. Financial markets showed little reaction to Ozawa's resignation, with the yen slightly lower but mostly unchanged. Aso stated that Ozawa's resignation will not affect the timing of the election, with speculation pointing towards an August vote. "Now that Ozawa has left, Prime Minister Aso may become more proactive in economic stimulus to attract voters, instead of calling for a dissolution of parliament at this time," stated Hidenori Suezawa, chief strategist at Daiwa Securities SMBC. The question of who will succeed Ozawa is expected to enhance the Democrats' electoral prospects, but analysts caution that not all the repercussions of his tenure can be easily reversed. "The situation had become quite challenging. There were complaints about Ozawa," noted independent political commentator Minoru Morita. "This significantly brightens the Democrats' prospects." Ozawa's departure could pave the way for a younger leader to take over, with potential candidates including former party leaders Katsuya Okada and Seiji Maehara. Other possible successors include Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, who are Ozawa's deputies. Ozawa, known for his campaign skills, has been a significant figure in Japanese politics for nearly two decades. The impact of his resignation on the Democrats' prospects will depend on his replacement and the transition process. This move is seen as essential for addressing the party's image issues. 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 this decision. According to a Democratic Party source, the leader will likely be selected through a vote among party lawmakers, potentially happening within a week or 10 days. A survey conducted by the Yomiuri newspaper before Ozawa's announcement showed that the Democrats still had a slight lead over the LDP, but many respondents questioned Ozawa's earlier decision to remain in his position. Yukihiro Nakagawa, an executive at a precision machinery company, stated that he had planned to submit a blank vote if Ozawa had stayed, but is now leaning towards voting for the Democrats depending on the policies they promise moving forward. Before Ozawa's announcement, a poll conducted by the Yomiuri newspaper revealed that 30 percent of respondents would vote for the Democrats in the upcoming election, while 27 percent would vote for the LDP. Some experts believe that Ozawa's resignation could lead to calls within the LDP to replace the unpopular Aso, but others argue that there is no clear successor and Aso will likely try to retain his position.