Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, formerly a longtime ruling coalition partner, heads for a meeting with Yoshihiko Noda, leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, at the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party ahead of a looming snap general election.

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Yoshihiko Noda (front), leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, heads for a meeting with Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, formerly a longtime ruling coalition partner, at the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party ahead of a looming snap general election.

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Yoshihiko Noda (R), leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito (L) are pictured ahead of their talks at the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the talks, the two parties decided to form a new party ahead of a looming snap general election.

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito to form new party

Yoshihiko Noda (C), leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito (2nd from L), alongside other party executives, hold a meeting at the Diet in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party ahead of a looming snap general election.

Party leaders' debate in parliament

Party leaders' debate in parliament

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito asks Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a question during a party leaders' debate in parliament in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2025.

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito casts a vote in an election to choose Japan's next prime minister during a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Oct. 21, 2025, after the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned en masse earlier in the day.

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito gives an interview in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2025, after the party ended its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito gives an interview in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2025, after the party ended its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito gives an interview in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2025, after the party ended its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito gives an interview in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2025, after the party ended its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Saito

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito gives an interview in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2025, after the party ended its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Tokyo stocks tumble

Tokyo stocks tumble

A financial data screen in Tokyo on the afternoon of Oct. 14, 2025, shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average falling over 1,500 points from the previous close. Stock selling was spurred amid political uncertainty in Japan after the Komeito party, the junior coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, decided to end their alliance.

Tokyo stocks tumble

Tokyo stocks tumble

A financial data screen in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average below 47,000 after the end of trading on Oct. 14, 2025, as selling was spurred amid political uncertainty in Japan after the Komeito party, the junior coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, decided to end their alliance.

Tokyo stocks tumble

Tokyo stocks tumble

A financial data screen in Tokyo on the afternoon of Oct. 14, 2025, shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average falling over 1,500 points from the previous close. Stock selling was spurred amid political uncertainty in Japan after the Komeito party, the junior coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, decided to end their alliance.

Tokyo stocks tumble

Tokyo stocks tumble

A financial data screen in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average below 47,000 after the end of trading on Oct. 14, 2025, as selling was spurred amid political uncertainty in Japan after the Komeito party, the junior coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, decided to end their alliance.

Tokyo stocks tumble

Tokyo stocks tumble

A financial data screen in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average below 47,000 after the end of trading on Oct. 14, 2025, as selling was spurred amid political uncertainty in Japan after the Komeito party, the junior coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, decided to end their alliance.

[Breaking News]Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

TOKYO, Japan, Oct. 10 Kyodo - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito hold talks in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025. Komeito said it will end its coalition with the LDP. (Kyodo)

Komeito party headquarters

Komeito party headquarters

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025, shows the headquarters of Japan's Komeito party in Tokyo.

Komeito party headquarters

Komeito party headquarters

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025, shows the headquarters of Japan's Komeito party in Tokyo.

Komeito party headquarters

Komeito party headquarters

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025, shows the headquarters of Japan's Komeito party in Tokyo.

Komeito party headquarters

Komeito party headquarters

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025, shows the headquarters of Japan's Komeito party in Tokyo.

Komeito party headquarters

Komeito party headquarters

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025, shows the headquarters of Japan's Komeito party in Tokyo.

Komeito party headquarters

Komeito party headquarters

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025, shows the name of Japan's Komeito party on its headquarters in Tokyo.

Komeito party headquarters

Komeito party headquarters

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025, shows the name of Japan's Komeito party on its headquarters in Tokyo.

Komeito party headquarters

Komeito party headquarters

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025, shows the name of Japan's Komeito party on its headquarters in Tokyo.

Komeito party headquarters

Komeito party headquarters

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025, shows the name of Japan's Komeito party on its headquarters in Tokyo.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, meets the press in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the decision by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's junior partner Komeito to end their coalition.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, meets the press in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the decision by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's junior partner Komeito to end their coalition.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, meets the press in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the decision by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's junior partner Komeito to end their coalition.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi leaves the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the decision by the LDP's junior partner Komeito to end their coalition.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito attends a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the party's decision to end its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito attends a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the party's decision to end its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (front) meets the press at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following a decision by the LDP's junior partner Komeito to end their coalition.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following a decision by the LDP's junior partner Komeito to end their coalition.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following a decision by the LDP's junior partner Komeito to end their coalition.

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to end coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following a decision by the LDP's junior partner Komeito to end their coalition.

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito attends a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the party's decision to withdraw from its coalition framework with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito attends a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the party's decision to withdraw from its coalition framework with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito attends a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the party's decision to withdraw from its coalition framework with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito attends a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, following the party's decision to withdraw from its coalition framework with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, over the party's decision to withdraw from its coalition framework with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, over the party's decision to withdraw from its coalition framework with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, over the party's decision to withdraw from its coalition framework with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito leaves after holding talks with Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025. Saito told her that Komeito will end its coalition with the LDP.

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito leaves after holding talks with Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025. Saito told her that Komeito will end its coalition with the LDP.

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito leaves after holding talks with Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025. Saito told her that Komeito will end its coalition with the LDP.

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (R) and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito hold talks in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025. Komeito said it will end its coalition with the LDP.

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (C, R) and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito (C, L) hold talks in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025. Komeito said it will end its coalition with the LDP.

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Japan's LDP-Komeito leaders' talks

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (C, R) and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito (C, L) hold talks in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025. Komeito said it will end its coalition with the LDP.

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito party to leave coalition with Japan's ruling LDP

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025, over the party's decision to withdraw from its coalition framework with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.