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SDP’s Only Lower House Member Kunio Arakaki Announces Exit Over Strategy Rift

He cites irreconcilable views on how to expand party strength.

Overview

  • At a Nov. 2 press conference in Ginowan, the Okinawa 2nd district lawmaker said he is leaving the Social Democratic Party.
  • He was the party’s sole member in the House of Representatives and a vice leader in his second term representing Okinawa’s 2nd district.
  • He will not join another party for now and will continue working in the Diet with the Constitutional Democratic Party/Independents caucus.
  • The SDP said on Nov. 1 that his resignation had not been accepted, though he mailed his letter in late October.
  • He plans to keep cooperating with the All Okinawa coalition and had urged leader Mizuho Fukushima to run for the Lower House to increase seats, according to local reporting.