[Breaking News]General election in Japan

TOKYO, Japan, Feb. 9 Kyodo - Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, hold a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, after expressing intention to resign from the post at the party's executive meeting following a crushing defeat in a general election. (Kyodo)

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, hold a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, after expressing intention to resign from the post at the party's executive meeting following a crushing defeat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, hold a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, after expressing intention to resign from the post at the party's executive meeting following a crushing defeat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, hold a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, after expressing intention to resign from the post at the party's executive meeting following a crushing defeat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, attend a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, after suffering a crushing defeat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, attend a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, after suffering a crushing defeat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, attend a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, after suffering a crushing defeat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, attend a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Tetsuo Saito, co-leader of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Tetsuo Saito, co-leader of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, speaks during a media interview in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Tetsuo Saito, co-leader of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, speaks during a media interview in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Tetsuo Saito, co-leader of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, speaks during a media interview in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, attend a media interview at a hotel in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, attend a media interview at a hotel in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, attend a media interview at a hotel in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, attend a media interview at a hotel in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, attend a media interview at a hotel in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, are pictured as they attend a media interview at a hotel in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, are pictured as they attend a media interview at a hotel in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026, following a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito makes a stump speech in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito makes a stump speech in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

[Breaking News]Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 22 Kyodo - Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of Japan's new centrist opposition party, called the Centrist Reform Alliance, hold a press conference following the party's inaugural convention in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026. Over 160 lawmakers joined the party formed following a deal between the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party ahead of a general election set for Feb. 8. (Kyodo)

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito bumps his fist with a voter in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito makes a stump speech in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito makes a stump speech in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito makes a stump speech in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito (2nd from L) raises his fist after making a stump speech in Tokyo on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito (2nd from L) raises his fist after making a stump speech in Tokyo on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Saito

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Saito

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito (back, C) raises his fist during a pep rally for alliance members in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Saito

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Saito

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito speaks to pedestrians in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

[Breaking News]Inauguration of Japan's new opposition party

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 23 Kyodo - Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the Centrist Reform Alliance, raise their fists during the new opposition party's inaugural convention in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026. (Kyodo)

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap electionn

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap electionn

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito (R), co-leaders of the Centrist Reform Alliance, leave parliament after a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house during the session for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election

Yoshihiko Noda (R) and Tetsuo Saito (C), co-leaders of the Centrist Reform Alliance, are pictured in parliament ahead of a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house during the session for a snap election on Feb. 8.

Inauguration of Japan's new opposition party

Inauguration of Japan's new opposition party

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of the Centrist Reform Alliance, raise their fists during the new opposition party's inaugural convention in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026.

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Yoshihiko Noda (C, L) and Tetsuo Saito (C, R), co-leaders of Japan's new centrist opposition party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, raise their fists during the party's inaugural convention in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026. Over 160 lawmakers have joined the party formed following a deal between the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party ahead of a general election set for Feb. 8.

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of Japan's new centrist opposition party, called the Centrist Reform Alliance, hold a press conference following the party's inaugural convention in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026. Over 160 lawmakers joined the party formed following a deal between the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party ahead of a general election set for Feb. 8.

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of Japan's new centrist opposition party, called the Centrist Reform Alliance, wave at the end of the party's inaugural convention in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026. Over 160 lawmakers joined the party formed following a deal between the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party ahead of a general election set for Feb. 8.

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Tetsuo Saito, co-leader of Japan's new centrist opposition party, called the Centrist Reform Alliance, speaks during its inaugural convention in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026. Over 160 lawmakers joined the party formed following a deal between the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party ahead of a general election set for Feb. 8.

[Breaking News]Japan's new opposition party

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 16 Kyodo - Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda and Komeito party head Tetsuo Saito announce the name of their new political party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026. (Kyodo)

Komeito party leader Saito

Komeito party leader Saito

Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, speaks to the press in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Komeito party leader Saito

Komeito party leader Saito

Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, speaks to the press in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Japan's new opposition party

Japan's new opposition party

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Komeito party head Tetsuo Saito announce the name of their new political party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

Japan's new opposition party

Japan's new opposition party

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Komeito party head Tetsuo Saito hold a press conference after announcing the name of their new political party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

Japan's new opposition party

Japan's new opposition party

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (C), Komeito party head Tetsuo Saito (2nd from R) and other executives of the two parties pose after announcing the name of their new political party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

Japan's new opposition party

Japan's new opposition party

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Komeito party head Tetsuo Saito announce the name of their new political party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

Japan's new opposition party

Japan's new opposition party

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Komeito party head Tetsuo Saito hold a press conference after announcing the name of their new political party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

Japan's new opposition party

Japan's new opposition party

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Komeito party head Tetsuo Saito shake hands after announcing the name of their new political party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

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 (top), 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, speaking to reporters following their meeting in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party.

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

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

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters following a meeting with Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, formerly a longtime ruling coalition partner, in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party.

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

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

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks to reporters following a meeting with Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party, formerly a longtime ruling coalition partner, in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026. During the meeting, the two parties agreed to form a new party.