Photo/Illutration Yoshihiko Noda, head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks with reporters on Oct. 12. (Takahiro Okubo)

The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has called for a top-level meeting with two other opposition parties to discuss the possibility of uniting behind a single candidate for prime minister.

But the differing policies among the parties could thwart an agreement.

The Diet is expected to be convened on Oct. 20 to vote on a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda told reporters on Oct. 12 that he instructed a subordinate to arrange an Oct. 14 meeting with Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, and Fumitake Fujita, co-head of Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party).

The Oct. 14 meeting would discuss the possibility of selecting an opposition lawmaker as prime minister instead of Sanae Takaichi, the new president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, according to sources.

Tamaki posted on his X account on Oct. 13 that while he was not opposed to meeting with Noda, he felt that the Oct. 14 gathering should be between the secretaries-general of the DPP and CDP to discuss the agenda for a leaders’ meeting.

The DPP chief also revealed in his X post that he had instructed subordinates to coordinate meetings with the secretaries-general of the LDP, Komeito and Nippon Ishin over the next few days.

The LDP suffered a major blow on Oct. 10 when Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito told Takaichi that his party was leaving the LDP-led ruling coalition.

Saito also told Takaichi that Komeito’s 26-year history of cooperating in national elections with the LDP was ending.

The Komeito chief cited the LDP’s resistance to tackle political funding corruption as the main reason for the split.

Appearing on a Fuji TV program on Oct. 12, Saito said it would be only natural to cooperate in elections with those who understand Komeito and hold similar policy stances.

However, Saito has indicated that his party would vote for him as prime minister in the Diet vote.

Noda noted that the CDP, DPP and Nippon Ishin have a combined 210 seats in the Lower House, more than the LDP’s 196.

He said it would be irresponsible if “no effort was made to find common ground when an opportunity for (a change in government) lay in front of us.”

But Tamaki has repeatedly pointed to major differences between his DPP and the CDP over certain issues, including national security, making it difficult to form a cooperative partnership.

Nippon Ishin is reportedly waiting for the outcome of discussions between the CDP and DPP before deciding what path it will take.

Nippon Ishin has also been approached by LDP officials about the possibility of joining in a coalition.

(This article was written by Takahiro Okubo and Shinkai Kawabe.) 

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