Sanae Takaichi’s election win gives her the political capital to tackle Japan’s voting issues, including religious and union influence, foreign interference and proportional representation flaws. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/02/18/world/tackling-japans-political-taboos/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #sanaetakaichi #japan #sokagakkai #komeito #ldp #rengo #cdp #china #ccp #diet #cra #jip #dpp #chinajapanrelations
Time for Takaichi to tackle Japan’s political taboos

How Takaichi spends her political capital will define her prime ministership, and she may very well be in a position to finally tackle some unresolved voting issues.

The Japan Times
From Nagatacho’s corridors to rural paddies and local gyms, elections reveal how quickly fortunes shift. Three campaigns in 15 months showed how fragile support can be — and how national power begins far from Tokyo. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/13/japan/politics/first-person-elections-recollection/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ldp #cra #komeito #cdp #sokagakkai #sanaetakaichi #shigeruishiba #yamagata #amagasaki #wakayama
Looking at politics from a different perspective

Three campaigns in 15 months showed how fragile support can be — and how national power begins far from Tokyo.

The Japan Times
Japan’s Feb. 8 snap election will test whether Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the LDP can rebuild a Lower House majority by reclaiming conservative and independent voters as it faces a fragmented opposition. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/02/03/japan/conservative-voters-returning-to-ldp/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #japan #sanaetakaichi #ldp #cdpj #komeito #cra #jip #dpp #sanseito #sokagakkai #rengo #shinzoabe
Has Takaichi secured a win? Conservative voters are returning to the LDP.

Takaichi’s confidence in calling an election just four months into her tenure as Japan’s leader comes from high public approval and a general fragmentation in the opposition ranks.

The Japan Times
For the fourth time, two candidates in Tokyo with the surname Suzuki will be fighting for a seat in parliament, this time in the Feb. 8 Lower House election. But a party change could give a needed edge to one of them. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/01/japan/politics/reportage-tokyo-10th-election/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ldp #cra #komeito #cdp #sanseito #dpp #jcp #tokyo #sokagakkai #2026lowerhouseelection
A tale of two Suzukis: Lower House election sets up fourth duel between Tokyo candidates

The Liberal Democratic Party’s Hayato Suzuki has been beating the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s Yosuke Suzuki since 2017, but new party backing could turn the tables.

The Japan Times
Japan’s new ‘Centrist Reform Alliance’ is a misnomer

The Centrist Reform Alliance is asking voters to embrace a brand label rather than a fully formed policy platform and a partnership of convenience.

The Japan Times
Komeito and CDP form new party, but doubts linger over political viability

The new party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, has an uninspired name and logo, suggesting a rushed and unconvincing partnership.

The Japan Times
The formation of a new party by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito has the Liberal Democratic Party concerned, particularly over the fortunes of lawmakers who used to benefit from Komeito support. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/16/japan/politics/ldp-reaction-cra/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ldp #suzukishunichi #itsunorionodera #komeito #cdp #sokagakkai
Formation of new party sparks concern in the ruling LDP

LDP lawmakers who won their seats with support from Komeito voters in the last general election could find themselves at a disadvantage.

The Japan Times

BDG news: Engaged Buddhism: The Soka Gakkai Issues Statement Calling for Global Solidarity on Climate Crisis Ahead of COP30

🔗 Read more: https://tinyurl.com/ye24hz4c

#Buddhism #EngagedBuddhism #COP30 #ClimateChange #Brazil #Belem #Amazon #SGI #SokaGakkai #Nichiren #YoungPeople #YoungLeaders #ClimateCrisis

As negotiations intensify over who will lead Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and major opposition forces must consider the policy preferences of their core supporters before striking any deals. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/16/japan/politics/support-groups/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ldp #cdp #dpp #komeito #unions #rengo #sokagakkai
As they wrestle for power, Japan’s political parties must remember their base

Electoral fortunes are shaped — or undone — by parliamentary alignments, social and religious groups, and representation from industries and labor.

The Japan Times