January 20, 2026

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on January 19 stated that the JCP will not be cooperating with the newly formed “Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA)”, comprising the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the “Komeito” party, in the upcoming general election, pointing out that the new party’s basic policies deem that the national security-related legislation is “constitutional”.

The CDPJ had previously, at least superficially, advocated zero nuclear power and the abolition of the security legislation. However, the CRA accepts the restart of nuclear reactors and explicitly states that the exercise of the right to self-defense for national defense under the security legislation in a “survival-threatening” situation is constitutional.

At a press conference in the Diet building, Koike pointed out that “the joint struggle of concerned citizens and opposition parties” has centered on the repeal of the security legislation. He criticized the CDPJ for undermining the very foundation of this citizens-opposition cooperation.

Koike proclaimed that the JCP will therefore not support CRA candidates and will make every effort to achieve victories for its own candidates in single-seat constituencies. He then explained that in electoral districts where the party is not fielding a candidate, it will be up to individual JCP members to decide who to vote for.

Regarding independent candidates who champion policies agreed upon through the citizens-opposition coalition, Koike said that the JCP may provide support on a case-by-case basis. He added that cooperation with the Social Democratic Party may be possible in constituencies where mutual support is feasible.