Komeito’s Chief Representative Tetsuo Saito has thrown down the gauntlet with a daring proclamation. The party is breaking from its decades-long coalition with the ultra-conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), turning Japan’s political landscape on its head. Only days after Sanae Takaichi won the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on October 4, 2025, she was hailed as the new leader of Japan. This decision is indicative of her rapid rise to power. Komeito’s withdrawal has huge implications. This is doubly important as Japan heads into an unusual parliamentary vote to elect its next prime minister on October 15.
Saito had the chance to discuss these issues with Takaichi shortly after her election. They talked of the future of their coalition, which has been going strong since 1999. Throughout the meeting, Saito expressed his dismay with the LDP’s handling of political money scandals. He said the party “did not offer enough explanation” on this important issue. Sadly, this lack of transparency seems to have helped push Komeito to the point of cutting ties with their ruling party partner.
The LDP as it stands has 191 seats in Japan’s Diet Lower House. This position gives it the status of largest party, even post-Komeito defection. With the unwelcome departure of the coalition partner, Takaichi’s ascendance rests on shaky ground. It casts doubt on her competence to run an effective government and gain support in the future. As Takaichi walks in to assume her role at the head of Japan’s ruling party, she now has to contend with a less hospitable and more divided political landscape.
At a press conference soon after her election, Takaichi laid down the gauntlet, pledging to tackle head-on issues like Japan’s declining birthrate, advanced aging and workforce shortages. Beyond Komeito’s departure, she’ll have to turn to new partners—or double down on current ones—to secure the legislative backing she’ll need. On October 15, the parliamentary vote will be an important first test of Takaichi. She is looking to sharpen her leadership and move ahead her policy agenda.