Overview

• Komeito ended its 26-year coalition with the LDP, citing unresolved money scandals, refusal to tighten finance rules, and concern over Sanae Takaichi’s conservative appointments and stances.
• The split leaves the LDP as the largest party without a reliable majority in either chamber of Japan’s Diet.
• Takaichi’s path to becoming prime minister now hinges on the opposition failing to rally around a single alternative.
• DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki offered to run as a joint opposition candidate, and CDP chief Yoshiko Noda signaled flexibility for talks.
• Public discussion of early elections has grown, with Nikkei estimating the LDP could lose about one fifth of its seats without Komeito’s electoral coordination.