Formation of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party

TOKYO, Japan, Oct. 1 Kyodo - Undated photo shows a banner reading "Party name: Liberal Democratic Party" marking the inauguration of the LDP on Nov. 15, 1955, through the merger of the Democratic and Liberal parties. At that time, it controlled 298 seats in the House of Representatives and 115 seats in the House of Councillors. The party's birth initiated the so-called "1955 system" in Japan, where two major political parties emerged to vie for power. (Kyodo)