Chudo Kaikaku Rengo coalition dissolves amid political fragmentation

The Chudo Kaikaku Rengo, a political coalition formed between the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito, has effectively dissolved only eight months after its inception. Following a significant loss of seats in the House of Representatives election, the coalition split as 28 former Komeito-affiliated members returned to their original party.

In the wake of the dissolution, 18 former Constitutional Democratic members formed a new party called the ‘Democratic Reform Association’ (Minshu Kaikaku no Kai), led by Junya Ogawa. However, the political landscape remains fragmented; former representative Kenta Izumi, who left the coalition as an independent, has formed a new parliamentary group named ‘Shishi no Kai’ alongside Rintaro Ogata.

The collapse of the coalition is attributed to several factors, including a perceived lack of leadership, shifts in core policies regarding energy and security that alienated liberal voters, and internal friction regarding the proposed merger of three different parties.