September 1, 2026

Leaders of the Centrist Reform Alliance, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and the “Komeito” party met in the Diet building on August 31 and confirmed the cancellation of their plan to merge the three parties.

However, considering a potential CRA split, the CRA leader hinted at establishing a parliamentary group consisting of CDPJ and Komeito members.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira at a press conference in the Diet building stated, “The fundamental cause of the cancellation of the 3-party merger plan is that the CRA was formed without reaching a policy agreement by setting aside political differences.”

He added, “The CDPJ was swallowed up by the Komeito, resulting in the formation of a new party: the CRA. The CDPJ abandoned its key policies on which it had previously agreed upon with concerned citizens and the JCP, such as abolishing the unconstitutional national security legislation, opposing the construction of a new U.S. military base in Henoko, and achieving a ‘zero-nuclear power’ Japan.”

Koike argued that, as a result of the CDPJ discarding these key policies in order to join the CRA, the new party suffered a bitter defeat in the February general election.

The JCP secretariat head stated, “Our party will continue to steadfastly maintain our party policies and will confront the Takaichi government head-on alongside concerned citizens. We will cooperate with other political parties on issues where we share common ground.”

Past related articles:
> Former CDPJ accepts Article 9 amendment and promotes nuclear power [February 14, 2026]
> LDP secures two-thirds majority, raising fears of iron-fist rule [February 10, 2026]
> CDPJ’s formation of Centrist Reform Alliance, act of betrayal to concerned citizens who worked together in citizens-opposition parties coalition [January 22, 2026]