LDP-Komeito Rift In Tokyo Could Damage Cooperation Nationwide

Disagreements over the fielding of candidates in Tokyo constituencies ahead of a potential snap election risks a broader rift between Japan's two governing parties: PM Fumio Kishida's conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the smaller Buddhist democracy Komeito party. There has been no confirmation of a snap election, but speculation has mounted following an increase in Kishida's approval ratings following the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

• The Japanese capital will have five new parliamentary constituencies as part of a redistricting at the next lower house election. In one of these (the 28th district) Komeito will not field a candidate, leaving it open to an LDP run, but in the 29th Komeito have said they do intend to run even if the LDP put up a candidate. Moreover, in a break from recent convention the local Komeito chapter will not endorse LDP candidates in any Tokyo seats. Komeito and the LDP have partnered up in each election since 1999.
• Earlier in the week Komeito head Natsuo Yamaguchi called for the two parties to work together. However, Japan Times reports that "...strained relations in Tokyo could impact races elsewhere. In Osaka, Komeito has an agreement with Nippon Ishin to cooperate in the city and prefectural assemblies in exchange for Nippon Ishin agreeing to not field candidates in Lower House districts represented by Komeito. But it is unclear if that agreement will continue once the next election is called."