The upcoming DPFP leadership contest is interesting and will determine DPFP's stance in the next election.
Incumbent DPFP leader Tamaki Yuichiro has steered the party closer to LDP, cooperating with them in the diet on many issues, even voting for the budget. If he wins he is open to changing the party's name to distance itself from its DPJ heritage. The challenger is ex foreign minister, former DPJ and DP leader Maehara Seiji. His platform is fully returning DPFP into the opposition, embracing a confrontational attitude against the LDP and forming a broad front of anti LDP non JCP parties (which includes JRP).
Tamaki has the support of industrial unions that back DPFP while Maehara is more popular among rank and file party members. All things given, Tamaki should be considered the favorite to win.
Wasn't Maehara responsible for end of DP back in 2017?
