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

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

2026-01-15 17:26 Last Updated At：01-16 11:40

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.

Israeli prime minister orders to overthrow Iranian government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Israel's Channel 14 on Monday that he had instructed the Israeli military and relevant agencies to topple the Iranian government.

Netanyahu said he had given the directives to the Israel Defense Forces, Israeli intelligence and special services (Mossad), and the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate to overthrow the Iranian authorities.

Speaking about the upcoming parliamentary elections in Israel, Netanyahu claimed that if the opposition comes to power after the vote, it could lead to thousands of Palestinians entering Israel, posing a threat to the country.

Also on that day, Netanyahu posted on social media that he had spoken by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump after receiving Trump's support for his participation in Israel's parliamentary elections.

The two sides will join forces to completely eliminate the threat from Iran, Netanyahu said. He called on Israeli voters to cast their ballots for his Likud Party in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Israelis are set to vote on Oct. 27, in the first national elections since October 2023.