Japan's Ogawa seeks reunion of former Democratic Party forces and Komeito cooperation

Junya Ogawa (小川淳也), leader of Minshu Kaikaku no Kai (民主改革の会), said at an October 9 press conference that he wants to reunite forces tracing their roots to the former Democratic Party. He said he ultimately wanted an alternative to the Liberal Democratic Party and intended to work with Komeito toward a change of government. NHK reported that his proposal includes the Constitutional Democratic Party and Democratic Party for the People. [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]

Ogawa said there would be no exclusions or exceptions. Nikkei reported that he acknowledged the difficulty of bringing in the Democratic Party for the People given its current momentum, while saying the parties were coordinating closely on parliamentary affairs. Tokyo Shimbun said he also sought cooperation with former lawmakers who had lost their seats. Sankei reported that he would focus on the current parliamentary session and could not yet give a concrete path to lift his party's support. [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]

Mainichi reported that Minshu Kaikaku no Kai was formed the previous month by 18 lower-house lawmakers from the Constitutional Democratic Party camp who left Chudo. Ogawa mentioned year-end, next spring's unified local elections and next year's ordinary parliamentary session as possible political dates for pursuing reunification. Tokyo Shimbun also mentioned next April's elections. Yomiuri's October 10 headline described a year-end target but said realisation was uncertain. [ 6 , 7 , 9 ]

Komeito secretary-general Makoto Nishida (西田実仁) said a previous three-party merger had failed because policies did not match, according to Mainichi. He said he would watch how policies could be brought into line with centrism. Jiji also reported his cautious response. Ogawa said his approach would extend beyond a merger limited to the Constitutional Democratic Party, Jiji reported. [ 3 , 7 ]