Komeito is leaving the ruling coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party.

Komeito leader Saito Tetsuo said his party will end its 26-year-old alliance with the LDP as the latter’s response to its inquiries, particularly those involving political funds, was insufficient.

Saito made the remarks to reporters after holding talks with new LDP leader Takaichi Sanae for about an hour and a half on the afternoon of October 10.

A major focus of the coalition talks was on whether the LDP would accept Komeito’s demand for stricter regulations on corporate and organizational donations as part of efforts to tackle the political fund scandal involving LDP lawmakers.

Komeito initially joined the LDP-led coalition government in 1999 when Obuchi Keizo was prime minister, and the partnership has continued since, including a period when the LDP was not in power.