The marked victory of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in 2009 sparked hopes of fundamental changes after a long domination by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In late 2010 the atmosphere was that of collective disappointment. The DPJ has failed to change the government’s rationale, particularly when it comes to the complex links between the cabinet, the administration and the majority party. Indecisive and lacking political vision in the midst of an economic crisis, the succession of prime ministers were doomed to failure.