Komeito Unilaterally Announces Departure from Coalition with LDP, Marking New Chapter for Long-Serving Alliance

It has been revealed that Komeito unilaterally notified the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of its withdrawal from the coalition government, marking a new phase for the long-standing LDP-Komeito administration. LDP President Takaichi stated at a press conference on the 10th, "Komeito unilaterally informed us of their departure from the coalition government. This has led to a very regrettable conclusion," expressing regret over Komeito's decision.

Komeito's withdrawal is reportedly rooted in dissatisfaction with the LDP's handling of "politics and money" issues, particularly concerning the proposed amendments to the Political Funds Control Act. Representative Saito criticized the LDP's response as "truly inadequate" and indicated that electoral cooperation would also be put back on the drawing board.

President Takaichi's remark about the withdrawal being "unilateral" has caused a significant stir on social media. A barrage of critical comments followed from many users, such as "Isn't she shifting blame?" "She's playing the victim," and "She should reflect on her own actions." Some pointed out her "insensitivity in not realizing that the cause lies in appointing executives involved in undeclared political funds and tax evasion, and linked to the Unification Church," while others questioned her leadership qualities, stating she is "not fit to be a top leader."

Furthermore, there are views speculating on Komeito's political motives, suggesting that "they intended to withdraw from the beginning, and the political funds issue was just used as a reason," and opinions that "if they were going to withdraw, the decision is too late." Conversely, some analyzed President Takaichi's communication strategy, remarking, "It created an image of Komeito as the villain."

The dissolution of the LDP-Komeito coalition, which has lasted for 26 years since 1999, is expected to have a significant impact on future national governance and the dynamics of each party in the next general election. Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People (DPFP), praised Komeito's withdrawal as "a strong expression of intent to end the politics and money problem," and the possibility of accelerated political realignment has been noted.

The Context

The LDP-Komeito coalition has been a cornerstone of Japanese politics since its formation in 1999, providing a stable majority in the Diet and facilitating policy implementation. Komeito, known for its strong organizational backing, particularly through its affiliation with the Soka Gakkai Buddhist lay organization, has been a crucial partner for the LDP in securing votes, especially in general elections.

The recent "politics and money" scandal refers to allegations within the LDP, primarily involving several factions, where kickbacks from fundraising party tickets were reportedly kept by individual politicians without being declared in political fund reports, effectively creating undeclared "slush funds." This led to public outrage and calls for stricter regulations, culminating in proposed amendments to the Political Funds Control Act. Komeito's dissatisfaction with the LDP's perceived lukewarm response and insufficient reforms to this act is cited as a primary reason for its withdrawal.

The mention of the "Unification Church" (officially the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) refers to the controversy surrounding its ties to many LDP politicians. Following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, it was revealed that the assassin held a grudge against the Unification Church and believed Abe had close ties to it. This revelation brought to light long-standing, often undeclared, connections between LDP members and the religious group, leading to public mistrust and further fueling concerns about transparency and ethical conduct in politics.