Political Parties
The formation of the Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA), born from the merger of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and Komeito, has spotlighted the term 'center' in Japan's political discourse. With the Liberal Democratic Party shifting rightward under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the upcoming 2026 Lower House election appears set to pit conservative forces against a centrist bloc. Yet, a closer examination of candidates' and parties' policy proposals reveals more nuance and confusion than simple labels suggest.
Raportoinut AI
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) and Komeito agreed on January 15, 2026, to form a new party ahead of the House of Representatives election. CDPJ leader Yoshihiko Noda and Komeito head Tetsuo Saito finalized the deal after separate intraparty meetings. The move seeks to unite centrist groups against Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration.