Komeito’s leader, Tetsuo Saito, announced on Friday that the party will exit the coalition government led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) due to concerns surrounding corruption.
This departure significantly diminishes the prospects for recently elected LDP leader Sanae Takaichi to garner necessary support for stepping into the role of prime minister.
Saito expressed disappointment after his announcement, noting, “We’ve been together for 26 years, and it’s really disheartening that it has ended this way.”
He pointed out three main reasons for Komeito’s decision to break away from the LDP: Takaichi’s previous visits to Yasukuni Shrine, her stringent views on immigration, and, most critically, his perceived dishonesty in addressing the LDP’s corruption issues.
On the corruption matter, Saito remarked, “The LDP’s response was merely that they would consider it, which felt inadequate and very disappointing.” He declared, “I’ve decided to rethink our strategy and halt at this point. Fighting against plutocracy is Komeito’s primary focus.”
Komeito, established in 1964 by leaders of a Buddhist sect, has maintained strong ties to Buddhism and argues that its principles, like commitment to pacifism and honest political leadership, are justified on their own.
Takaichi, known for her conservative stance, has frequently visited Yasukuni Shrine, which honors soldiers from World War II, including some implicated in war crimes. Although she has stated she won’t visit the shrine if she becomes prime minister, she recently indicated uncertainty about attending an upcoming autumn festival there, a move seen as an attempt to placate Komeito but that still didn’t seem to resonate well.
During her campaign, Takaichi acknowledged the growing concerns among voters regarding immigration, which has led some critics to label her a hardliner. However, her stance on immigration is not as stringent as the current government’s policies.
The corruption issue was prominently mentioned by Saito as a major hurdle for Takaichi. The LDP has been embroiled in numerous corruption scandals, contributing to significant defeats in recent elections and the fall of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
From the moment Takaichi was elected as the LDP president last weekend, it was apparent that corruption could jeopardize Komeito’s support, especially if she selects a ministerial candidate from within the party linked to such scandals.
Polls suggest that a significant portion of the Japanese public is wary of LDP members with corruption accusations holding positions in Takaichi’s administration. Many voters prioritize rooting out those lawmakers over any other political leadership changes.
The coalition largely dissolved after Takaichi opposed new restrictions on political donations from corporations, which Komeito and the Democratic Party of the People had proposed to address the LDP’s alleged “slush funds”.
Komeito officials are also concerned about Takaichi’s leadership, especially since Koichi Hagida has been appointed as deputy secretary-general of the LDP. Like Takaichi, Hagida was a loyal supporter of former leader Shinzo Abe, but was suspended for a year last April due to involvement in the slush fund issue.
Even though Komeito is considerably smaller than the LDP, which has dominated Japanese politics since World War II, Takaichi will need a coalition partner for a shot at prime minister. The LDP has lost its majority in both legislative houses following severe electoral defeats.
Saito clearly stated that Komeito members would not be voting for Takaichi, complicating her path to victory. He added that Komeito’s grassroots network would stop endorsing LDP candidates in districts where Komeito cannot independently win, which poses a significant challenge for the LDP.
While Takaichi’s chances of establishing a new coalition government and acquiring the votes necessary for her to become Japan’s first female prime minister remain viable, especially given public sentiment, opinions on the matter continue to vary greatly.
