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

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

Combined photo shows Yoshihiko Noda (L), leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, formerly a longtime ruling coalition partner, heading for a meeting in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party ahead of a possible snap general election.

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.

Main opposition party policy-setting meeting

Main opposition party policy-setting meeting

Yoshihiko Noda (C), leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks at a policy-setting meeting of the party's upper and lower house lawmakers in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026.

Main opposition party policy-setting meeting

Main opposition party policy-setting meeting

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks at a policy-setting meeting of the party's upper and lower house lawmakers in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026.

Main opposition party policy-setting meeting

Main opposition party policy-setting meeting

Yoshihiko Noda (C), leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks at a policy-setting meeting of the party's upper and lower house lawmakers in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026.

Main opposition party head Noda

Main opposition party head Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to the press in Narashino in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 15, 2026

Japan opposition party leader Noda

Japan opposition party leader Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to the press at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 5, 2026.

Japan opposition party leader Noda

Japan opposition party leader Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to the press at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 5, 2026.

Takaichi-Noda debate in parliament

Takaichi-Noda debate in parliament

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, asks Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a question during a party leaders' debate in parliament in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2025.

Takaichi-Noda debate in parliament

Takaichi-Noda debate in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) answers a question from Yoshihiko Noda (R, 3rd from bottom), leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, during a party leaders' debate in parliament in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2025.

Takaichi-Noda debate in parliament

Takaichi-Noda debate in parliament

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, asks Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a question during a party leaders' debate in parliament in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2025.

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Yoshihiko Noda (R, front), leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025.

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025.

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025.

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025.

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025.

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Japan opposition party leader Noda in parliament

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (back) listens to Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaking at a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (back) listens to Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaking at a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025.

Japan Lower House Elects Takaichi New Prime Minister - Tokyo

Japan Lower House Elects Takaichi New Prime Minister - Tokyo

Yoshihiko Noda L), head of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, votes during the extraordinary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo, Japan, October 21, 2025. Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party LDP), was officially elected the country's prime minister on Tuesday after winning in both houses of parliament, becoming the country's first female leader. Photo by Xinhua/Jia Haocheng/ABACAPRESS.COM

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, 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.

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Yoshihiko Noda (L), leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, 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.

Japan party leaders hold talks in Tokyo

Japan party leaders hold talks in Tokyo

(From L) Yuichiro Tamaki, chief of the Democratic Party for the People, Yoshihiko Noda, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, meet in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2025, to discuss possible cooperation to oust the Liberal Democratic Party from power when parliament elects the next prime minister.

Japan party leaders hold talks in Tokyo

Japan party leaders hold talks in Tokyo

Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters after holding talks with new ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2025, amid uncertainty over whether she will be able to win enough votes to become premier during an extraordinary parliamentary session starting Oct. 21.

Japan party leaders hold talks in Tokyo

Japan party leaders hold talks in Tokyo

Japan's new ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters after holding talks in Tokyo with Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, on Oct. 15, 2025, amid uncertainty over whether she will be able to win enough votes to become premier during an extraordinary parliamentary session starting Oct. 21.

Japan party leaders hold talks in Tokyo

Japan party leaders hold talks in Tokyo

Japan's new ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (R) holds talks in Tokyo with Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, on Oct. 15, 2025, amid uncertainty over whether Takaichi will be able to win enough votes to become premier during an extraordinary parliamentary session starting Oct. 21.

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.

Japanese Trade Union Confederation meeting

Japanese Trade Union Confederation meeting

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks at a regular meeting of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, also known as Rengo, in Tokyo on Oct. 7, 2025.

Japan opposition party head Noda

Japan opposition party head Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Oct. 5, 2025.

Japan opposition party head Noda

Japan opposition party head Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Oct. 5, 2025.

Japan opposition party head Noda

Japan opposition party head Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Oct. 5, 2025.

Japan opposition party head Noda

Japan opposition party head Noda

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Oct. 5, 2025.

Japan LDP leadership election

Japan LDP leadership election

Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters in Chiba, eastern Japan, on Oct. 4, 2025, following Former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi's victory in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election.

Japan LDP leadership election

Japan LDP leadership election

Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters in Chiba, eastern Japan, on Oct. 4, 2025, following Former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi's victory in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election.

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Yoshihiko Noda (L), leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, heads for a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, and Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

(From L) Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, and Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, hold a meeting in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, heads for a meeting with Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, and Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Yoshihiko Noda (2nd from L), head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (3rd from L), who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, and Tetsuo Saito (4th from L), head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, hold a meeting in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to reporters after holding a meeting with Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, and Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to reporters after holding a meeting with Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, and Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters after holding a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, and Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Japan PM Ishiba meets Komeito, CDPJ leaders

Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters after holding a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, and Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Meeting of Japan PM Ishiba, Komeito and CDPJ leaders

Meeting of Japan PM Ishiba, Komeito and CDPJ leaders

Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, speaks to reporters after holding a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, and Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Meeting of Japan PM Ishiba, Komeito and CDPJ leaders

Meeting of Japan PM Ishiba, Komeito and CDPJ leaders

Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, speaks to reporters after holding a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party, and Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba and opposition party head Noda

Japan PM Ishiba and opposition party head Noda

Combined photo shows Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) and Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the major opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaking during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2025.