TOKYO - Komeito leader Saito informed Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Takaichi on October 10 that his party intends to withdraw from their coalition, bringing an end to a political partnership that has lasted 26 years, including periods when the LDP was in opposition. Leaders and secretary-generals of both parties met in the Diet at 1:45 p.m. on October 10 to discuss whether to continue the alliance, with Komeito insisting during the meeting that strengthening regulations on corporate and organizational political donations be accepted as a condition for maintaining the coalition.
With the two sides failing to reach an agreement, Saito conveyed to Takaichi that Komeito would leave the coalition. Since its formation in 1999, the partnership between the two parties had endured even during the LDP’s time out of power, but growing public anger over political funding scandals triggered the decision to end their cooperation.
With the Diet expected to convene for a prime ministerial selection vote after October 20, Komeito plans not to support Takaichi in the ballot. As a result, it is now uncertain whether she will be chosen to succeed Prime Minister Ishiba.
Source: TBS
