Overview
- Yoshihiko Noda is positioned as the likely prime ministerial candidate, according to Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito and party statements.
- A draft platform built around five pillars emphasizes realistic foreign and defense policies, discussion of constitutional revision, and conditional nuclear restarts with local consent.
- The alliance plans to present key policy items on Monday, with the government expected to dissolve the lower house on Jan. 23 for a likely Feb. 8 vote.
- Officials aim to field roughly 200 single-seat candidates, with Komeito set to withdraw in targeted districts and shift its contenders to proportional lists.
- LDP figures voice concern over the electoral impact of losing traditional Komeito support, while the Democratic Party for the People signals it will not join the new bloc.