Opposition bloc splits, paving way for new democratic-reform party in Japan

The opposition coalition known as the Centrist Reform Alliance officially split on Wednesday, clearing the path for a new political formation centered on democratic reform. Junya Ogawa, who stepped down as the alliance’s leader, reported that 48 of the 49 legislators have exited, and he intends to lead the new party with Takeshi Shina as secretary-general. The nascent party, whose English name is still pending, will be founded by five lawmakers and plans to register with the internal affairs ministry as early as Thursday, targeting a total of 20 former CDPJ members.

The 28 ex-alliance legislators affiliated with Komeito will rejoin that party, with the transition expected to conclude next week. One lower-house member, So Watanabe, stays in the alliance to manage remaining grants and debts. The alliance, created in January as a counter to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party, suffered a heavy loss in February’s general election, prompting the eventual split.