The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) and Komeito, Japan's main opposition, agreed to form a new centrist party, leaders of both parties announced on Thursday.
The agreement was reached during talks between CDPJ leader Yoshihiko Noda and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito on Thursday afternoon as the two parties seek to put up a united front against the conservative ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party in the looming House of Representatives election.
Noda told a press conference that the move represents an opportunity to place centrist forces at the very center of politics.
According to Japanese media reports earlier, the two parties envision retaining their respective party structures after the new party is launched. CDPJ and Komeito lawmakers in the upper house and local governments would remain in their original parties, while candidates running in the lower house election would leave their current parties and join the new party. The two sides are coordinating the details of this arrangement.
The two parties now hold a total of 172 seats in the lower house, with the CDPJ holding 148 seats and Komeito 24 seats.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday informed the ruling camp of her intention to dissolve the lower house at the initial stage of this year's ordinary parliamentary session and call a snap election.
Komeito terminated its coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party in October 2025 and shifted into opposition. Growing speculation of a snap election accelerated coordination between parties.
Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito agree to form new party
Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito agree to form new party
Japan's main opposition CDPJ, Komeito agree to form new party
A series of cross-Strait exchange activities have been held in north China's Shanxi Province, providing platforms for people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to explore shared history, culture, and business opportunities.
A ceremony worshiping Emperor Yandi, a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held in Gaoping, a county-level city in Shanxi on May 24.
The worship ceremony featured rituals including incense offering, the reading of eulogies, ritual bowing, and traditional Chinese instrument performances. The solemn event brought together people from both sides of the Strait, strengthening their shared sense of cultural belonging and deepening consensus around a common Chinese identity.
"Because (in Taiwan), we've known since childhood that we are descendants of Emperor Yandi and Emperor Huangdi, so attending this ceremony really meant a lot to me," said Hsieh Yu-Chan, a Taiwan resident.
"It truly gives me the feeling of being as the descendants of Yandi and Huangdi. I was deeply moved. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely come again next year," said another Taiwan resident.
Shanxi Province has a solid industrial base and a favorable business environment. The province has rolled out preferential policies for Taiwan residents, attracting more than 100 Taiwan-funded enterprises to invest and settle in.
On May 23, an event highlighting cross-Strait business exchanges was held in the province's Jincheng City, attracting nearly 150 Taiwan businesspeople and youths, enhancing mutual understanding and exploring business opportunities.
"(Shanxi's) cultural tourism, healthcare, and coal chemical industries, in particular, offer excellent opportunities for Taiwan businesses, while Taiwan businesses are also very strong in producing key components for AI computing power. The prospects [for cooperation] are very promising," said Lee Cheng-hung, president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland.
"The mainland's economy is actually very strong. I think the success rate of starting a business and investing here is at least twice as high as in Taiwan. So I encourage young people in Taiwan to come and visit more often," said Chang Han-hsuan, a businessman.
During the event, participants also visited local enterprises, a short video production base, and popular tourist attractions across Shanxi.
Cross-Strait cultural, business exchange activities held in Shanxi
