Japan Opposition Party CRA Likely to Split as Ex-Komeito Members Mull Leaving
The Centrist Reform Alliance — which was formed in January — is likely to split as former Komeito members in the House of Representatives are considering leaving the CRA, according to CRA sources.
The Centrist Reform Alliance, a newly formed opposition party in Japan, may split as some former Komeito members contemplate leaving the party, according to sources within the CRA. Originally established in January by members of the Komeito and Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the CRA was designed to merge all three parties.
However, discussions on this merger hit a roadblock after Shunichi Mizuoka, leader of the CDPJ, informed CRA leader Junya Ogawa and Komeito leader Toshiko Takeya that the CDPJ would not proceed with the merger. This decision has encouraged former Komeito members in the CRA to consider departing from the party. Komeito, with members in the House of Councillors, will not pursue a merger with the CRA due to opposition from CDPJ members in the CRA.
The party's 49 lower house members, including 28 former Komeito lawmakers, will deliberate on the matter and announce their decision by Monday, at a leaders' meeting with the three parties. The outcome of these discussions could lead to a split in the CRA, potentially diminishing its status as the largest opposition party.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
