CDP Poised to Seek Cooperation with Komeito

Tokyo, Oct. 10 (Jiji Press)–Now that Komeito has dissolved its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is poised to seek Komeito’s support for a possible unified opposition candidate for prime minister. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party for the People appears no longer willing to hold coalition talks with the LDP. Komeito’s decision to dissolve the ruling coalition “apparently reflects its sense of crisis over the issue of politics and money,” CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda told reporters on Friday. Noda pointed out that his party and Komeito share a middle-of-the-road stance, suggesting his willingness to cooperate with Komeito. CDP Secretary-General Jun Azumi pointed to an emerging chance of a change in government. Azumi has been calling on opposition parties to unite behind a single candidate in an upcoming parliamentary vote to choose the next prime minister. As such a candidate, he has proposed DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki. Speaking separately to reporters, Tamaki said that his party’s discussions about forming a coalition with the LDP are “becoming meaningless.” Regarding the CDP’s proposal to nominate Tamaki for prime minister, he said, “I’m prepared to serve as prime minister.” However, he added that the CDP should first clarify its national security policy. Tamaki also said on X, formerly Twitter, that his party hopes to work with Komeito on the issue of politics and money. Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) and governor of the western prefecture of Osaka, said in a television program that his party will “listen seriously” to the idea of backing Tamaki for prime minister if the CDP and the DPFP reach an agreement. When asked by reporters about the possibility of voting for Tamaki in the prime minister election, Japanese Communist Party head Tomoko Tamura said, “We’ll consistently take a position to end the LDP’s rule.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]