Opposition CDP Tells CRA, Komeito of Decision against Merger

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)–The opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan informed the Centrist Reform Alliance and Komeito on Friday that it will not take part in a proposed merger with the two other opposition parties. CDP leader Shunichi Mizuoka conveyed the policy to his counterparts from the CRA and Komeito, Junya Ogawa and Toshiko Takeya, at a meeting in the Diet, the country’s parliament. Mizuoka expressed his desire to discuss cooperation with the two parties, including the creation of a unified group in the Senate, recently renamed from the House of Councillors. He also showed an eagerness to deepen collaboration to prepare for unified local elections next spring and consolidate political forces again by the end of next year’s ordinary Diet session. The CRA was created by House of Representatives members from the CDP and Komeito in January ahead of the February election for the lower chamber. The three parties started discussions in July to realize the three-way merger. In a report released in late July, the three said they would reach their conclusion by the end of August. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]