S/ Tamaki Yuichiro, leader of the Democratic Party for the People: It’s time to decide how we’ll nominate the next prime minister, when to open the extraordinary Diet session, and what issues to focus on. I think we’ve reached a point where politics really needs to start moving. 

On October 14, Tamaki’s Democratic Party for the People is scheduled to hold talks with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, followed by meetings with the LDP’s former coalition partner Komeito in the afternoon.  

Later in the evening, the three opposition parties—the Democratic Party for the People the Constitutional Democratic Party, and Nippon Ishin—are also set to meet. 

By the end of the day, Tamaki’s party will have met with four major parties across both ruling and opposition blocs. 

The Constitutional Democratic Party has indicated that Tamaki is a strong candidate to serve as the joint opposition nominee.  However, Tamaki has made it clear that cooperation depends on agreeing key security and energy policies, making the Constitutional Democrats’ stance a critical factor. 

Meanwhile, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will hold a joint meeting of both houses in the afternoon under party president Takaichi Sanae. 

Takaichi is expected to explain the reason behind the recent breakup of the coalition with Komeito.  But internal criticism is likely, as some within the party question the move. 

With the coalition now broken, one opposition leader commented, “It’s impossible to predict whether the next prime minister will be Takaichi or Tamaki.”