Major Japanese Opposition Party Seeks Policy Consensus in Bid to Take Power

TOKYO — In a significant move aimed at challenging the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the leader of one of Japan’s major opposition parties called on fellow opposition groups Tuesday to unify around key policy agreements to increase their chances of forming the next government.

Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), emphasized the urgency of reaching a common policy platform, particularly urging the larger Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) to adopt more pragmatic positions on national security and energy policies. Tamaki highlighted the need for bipartisan cooperation on matters such as collective self-defense legislation and nuclear energy, where the CDPJ currently holds more left-leaning stances opposing new nuclear facilities.

Tamaki’s call for unity follows the recent disruption in Japan’s political landscape, with the junior coalition partner Komeito ending its 26-year alliance with the LDP. This political shift complicates the prospects of LDP president Sanae Takaichi, a conservative who won the party’s leadership earlier this month, in securing enough parliamentary support to become Japan’s first female prime minister.

Meanwhile, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the CDPJ and former prime minister, expressed openness to making policy concessions to back a joint opposition candidate in the upcoming prime ministerial vote expected later this month. However, he also urged Tamaki to demonstrate a willingness to unify the opposition without rigid stances that could hinder cooperation.

The outcome of this opposition effort could reshape Japan’s political future as parliament prepares to vote for the next prime minister. With the ruling coalition losing its upper house majority in elections earlier this year, the opposition’s ability to consolidate and field a united candidate is critical to challenging the LDP’s long-standing dominance