Japan’s main opposition alliance dissolves

Japan’s main opposition force, the Centrist Reform Alliance, has officially dissolved after talks on a full merger broke down, Kyodo News reports.

Alliance leader Junya Ogawa said lawmakers from Komeito would return to their original party, while former members of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) would form a new political party.

The two factions plan to establish a unified centrist bloc ahead of the autumn parliamentary session in a bid to retain their position as the largest opposition force in the House of Representatives.

The Centrist Reform Alliance will formally remain in existence with just one lawmaker as a member. The arrangement is necessary for the alliance to receive government subsidies and settle debts accumulated following the elections.

The CDPJ announced on August 28 that it was abandoning the merger plan following widespread dissatisfaction among its regional organisations over the election results.

The Centrist Reform Alliance was established in January 2026 as a counterweight to the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. However, the alliance suffered a major defeat in the snap February elections, with its representation in the 465-member House of Representatives falling from 167 seats to just 49.

The losses were concentrated among CDPJ candidates, while all 28 Komeito candidates won seats after being given priority on the proportional representation lists.

By Vugar Khalilov