Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) and Komeito agreed to form a new centrist party, leaders of both parties announced on Thursday (Jan. 15).
The agreement was reached during talks between CDPJ leader Yoshihiko Noda and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito on Thursday afternoon as the two parties seek to put up a united front against the conservative ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party in the looming House of Representatives election.
Noda told a press conference that the move represents an opportunity to place centrist forces at the very center of politics.
According to earlier reports by Japanese media outlets, the two parties envision retaining their respective party structures after the new party is launched. CDPJ and Komeito lawmakers in the upper house and local governments would remain in their original parties, while candidates running in the lower house election would leave their current parties and join the new party. The two sides are coordinating the details of this arrangement.
The two parties now hold a total of 172 seats in the lower house, with the CDPJ holding 148 seats and Komeito 24 seats.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday informed the ruling camp of her intention to dissolve the lower house at the initial stage of this year's ordinary parliamentary session and call a snap election.
Komeito terminated its coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party in October last year and shifted into opposition. Growing speculation of a snap election accelerated coordination between the parties.
(Source: Xinhua)
Related News:
Japan sees record high reports of tick-borne disease, potential for organ failure
Japan confirms season's 1st bird flu outbreak in greater Tokyo area
Comment