Japan opposition parties CDP, Komeito to form new 'centrist' political party

Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito have agreed to establish a new political party, their leaders said on Thursday, in an attempt to present a united front against ruling parties that they see as too right-leaning.



The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi conveyed her plans to dissolve parliament next week and call a snap election to ruling party executives. If realised, the general election could be held as early as Feb. 8.



"The Takaichi administration was formed after last year's leadership race, and policies have generally leaned to the right," CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda told reporters. "This is an opportunity to place the centrist camp right at the heart of politics."



Komeito ended its 26-year partnership with Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last October over what it viewed as the LDP's failure to respond to a political funding scandal. The LDP subsequently formed a coalition government with the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, paving the way for Takaichi to become the country's first female prime minister.



Komeito chief Tetsuo Saito said the new party would initially be led jointly by Noda and himself.