Japan’s main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s former coalition partner Komeito announced on January 16 that the name for their jointly-formed party will be the Centrist Reform Alliance.

The two parties just announced on January 15 that they agreed to form a new political party ahead of a snap election that is scheduled to take place in February.

Noda Yoshihiko, Constitutional Democratic Party Leader / We have reached an agreement to jointly establish a new party and fight together.

Saito Tetsuo, Komeito Leader / Komeito and the Constitutional Democratic Party will each continue to exist while establishing a new party. We want to work together in this new centrist political party.

Members wishing to join the new party will leave their respective parties to participate. Noda also said that he will ask lawmakers from other political parties who agree with their policy to join the new party.

The two parties have long been in opposition as ruling and opposition parties.

Edano Yukio, then-Constitutional Democratic Party Leader / We will absolutely not engage in any political actions that would aid the LDP-Komeito government’s survival.

Yamaguchi Natsuo, then-Komeito Leader / Join hands, LDP and Komeito! Crush the Constitutional Democrats and Communists!

The parties have fiercely criticized each other for a long time. However, they have joined forces ahead of the upcoming election.

Noda Yoshihiko, Constitutional Democratic Party Leader / Even before the Takaichi administration was formed in October, we actually began discussions with Komeito behind the scenes around the time the LDP presidential election was underway. I ask for your understanding that this is not a sudden development.

He said that discussions had already been underway when the LDP presidential election took place in October 2025, while the LDP and Komeito were still in coalition.

The possibility for a general election arose on January 14.

Reporter / Will the House of Representatives be dissolved on January 23?

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae /  I believe I mentioned that it will be during the early session of the ordinary Diet.

Prime Minister Takaichi told ruling party executives her intention to dissolve the House of Representatives early in the ordinary Diet session which begins on January 23.

On January 15, during a meeting with female ambassadors from various countries stationed in Japan, she made the following remarks.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae / This is something we all need to be mindful of: they say beyond the glass ceiling lies a glass cliff. This refers to situations where, during organizational crises or times prone to failure, women are often placed in leadership positions. If they fail, it feeds the prejudice that women aren't suited for leadership. To eradicate such an idea, let us work together diligently, and deliver results.

The opposition Democratic Party for the People, which significantly increased its seats in the July 2025 upper house election, also spoke to reporters on January 15.

Tamaki Yuichiro, Democratic Party for the People Leader / We have decided not to join such movements. We have informed the Secretary-General of our refusal.

Tamaki criticized the CDP and Komeito’s announcement, saying that they had set aside policies and made the decision ahead of the snap election.

Takaichi has said that she will speak to reporters on the details of the dissolution on January 19.