The main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance chose Ogawa Junya as its new leader in Tokyo on February 13.

Ogawa won 27 of the 49 votes from party members who won seats in this month’s lower house election.

S/ Ogawa Junya, New Leader, Centrist Reform Alliance / Our top priority as the largest opposition party is to firmly present a vision for the stability of people’s livelihoods and future prospects and to offer peace of mind for the present and hope for the future. I am confident that, through this process, trust and expectations for our party will grow.

The other contestant in the two-way race was Shina Takeshi, who said he has no regrets about the outcome and expressed his desire to help ensure that the party can propose attractive policies.

Ogawa faces the two major challenges of uniting and rebuilding the party.

The new leader succeeds co-leaders Noda Yoshihiko and Saito Tetsuo, who stepped down to take responsibility for the fledgling group’s crushing defeat in the February 8 general election.

Shortly before the election, the Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito joined hands to form the Centrist Reform Alliance hoping to counter Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s growing popularity, but the new party saw its seat count fall from 167 combined to only 49.

The leadership race took place amid an unusually tight schedule, with official campaigning starting on February 12 and voting held the following day.