Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan’s ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), attends a press conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.
Yuichi Yamazaki | Pool Photo via AP
Japan’s Komeito political party is reportedly quitting the country’s ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party, public broadcaster NHK said Friday.
Komeito Chief Representative Tetsuo Saito said that the LDP “failed to provide sufficient answers regarding political funding issues,” after meeting with LDP President Sanae Takaichi, according to the report.
If confirmed, the split would end a political alliance that has existed since 1999. It comes just days before an Oct. 15 parliamentary vote to select Japan’s next prime minister.
Nikkei reported earlier Friday that Komeito had reservations about the alliance, and that the appointment of Takaichi as Japan’s next prime minister would be delayed to at least Oct. 20.
Takaichi won the LDP leadership race on Oct. 4, defeating farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi to become the first woman to lead the party — and potentially Japan’s first female prime minister.
Despite her win, the LDP does not hold a majority in Japan’s Lower House. The LDP and Komeito currently hold 215 seats in the 465-seat chamber, short of the 233 seats needed for a majority.
Komeito’s exit would leave the LDP with 191 seats, though the LDP is still the largest party in the Lower House.
—This is breaking news, please check back for updates.
