Overview
- Yoshihiko Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party and Tetsuo Saito of Komeito met in Tokyo on Jan. 12 and reached a basic understanding to seek a higher level of coordination for the next Lower House election.
- They agreed to have party executives examine concrete frameworks, including the scope of cooperation and potential constituency arrangements, while stopping short of any formal pact or seat-sharing deal.
- The talks were prompted by discussion within the government about a possible dissolution of the Lower House at the opening of the ordinary Diet session expected on Jan. 23.
- Noda said their basic policy directions align under the banner of expanding centrist reform, and Saito signaled openness to broader centrist alignment that could include the Democratic Party for the People.
- Both leaders said creating a political vacuum through a snap dissolution should be avoided, with Noda’s weekend comments on NHK calling Komeito a highly compatible partner setting the stage for the meeting.