Overview
- The party’s executive bodies confirmed the split on Wednesday when an emergency standing committee formally approved a plan for members of liberal origin and Komeito origin to separate.
- Under the decision, former members of the Constitutional Democratic wing will seek to form a new party while Komeito‑aligned members plan to return to Komeito.
- Lawmakers who leave will form a unified lower‑house caucus using the ‘Chudo’ name so the group can preserve its numbers and remain a leading opposition presence in the Diet.
- The party will retain one Diet member to receive roughly ¥1.17 billion in public party funding, use the money for election and settlement costs, and complete legal dissolution procedures by the end of the year.
- The split follows failed three‑party merger talks with the Constitutional Democrats and Komeito, and reporters say the move could further fragment the opposition ahead of the autumn extraordinary Diet session.