The Japan TimesMar 12
Former members of Liberal Democratic Party factions that were disbanded in the wake of a slush funds scandal have been meeting informally since the party’s landslide election victory in February. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/12/japan/politics/ldp-factions-politics-comeback/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ldp #sanaetakaichi #sanaetakaichi #shinzoabe #fumiokishida #taroaso #toshimitsumotegi #toshihironikai
Are disbanded LDP factions staging a comeback?

Former members of the disbanded factions have been meeting informally since the party’s landslide victory in the Feb. 8 Lower House election.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 20
Eighteen lawmakers of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party have joined a party faction led by LDP Vice President Taro Aso, bringing the faction's membership to a record 60 people. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/20/japan/politics/aso-faction-members-ldp-record/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #taroaso #ldp
LDP's Aso faction grows to record 60 members

The Aso faction is the only one remaining in the party, after all other factions disbanded in the wake of a high-profile slush fund scandal.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 17
Supermajorities reduce the need for interparty compromise, but they can actually intensify intraparty competition. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/02/17/japan/trouble-with-winning-big-for-takaichi/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #sanaetakaichi #ldp #dpj #ichiroozawa #yukiohatoyama #naotokan #yoshihikonoda #shinzoabe #fumiokishida #taroaso #shigeruishiba #2026lowerhouseelection
The trouble with winning big for Takaichi and the LDP

Landslide victories in Japanese politics can conceal fragility within the ruling party.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 10
Japan's Lower House has grown younger, with the average age of election winners being 54.7 years old. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/10/japan/politics/japan-lower-house-election-winners-average-age/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #2026lowerhouseelection #taroaso #nagisamuraki #ldp #jip #cra
Japan's Lower House grows younger as the average age of election winners falls

The average age of winners in Sunday's election was 54.7 years old.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 5
Former Prime Minister Taro Aso, vice president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, on Wednesday dismissed the party's past electoral cooperation with its former coalition partner, Komeito, as "nonsense." https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/05/japan/politics/japan-aso-blasts-komeito/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #taroaso #ldp #komeito #cra #osaka
LDP election cooperation with Komeito during 26-year tie-up 'nonsense,' says Aso

While the parties were in an alliance, the LDP had asked supporters to cast proportional representation votes for Komeito in exchange for Komeito supporters backing LDP candidates.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJan 1
Since taking office, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seems to have enjoyed a tailwind. Yet amid a cost-of-living crisis, perilous coalition ties and weak party support, there’s no shortage of challenges. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/01/japan/politics/political-outlook-2026/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #ldp #nipponishinnokai #komeito #taroaso #diet
Will tailwinds become headwinds for Takaichi in 2026?

This year the prime minister must show the electorate she can meet its expectations, with steady leadership and tangible answers to the country’s challenges.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesDec 5
In Japan’s political heart of Nagatacho, a question swirls: Will Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi bank on her popularity and call a snap election ahead of next year’s parliamentary session? https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/05/japan/politics/takaichi-risks-snap-election/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #ldp #komeito #taroaso #toshimitsumotegi #shunichisuzuki
Will Takaichi bank on her high approval ratings to call a snap election?

Calling a snap vote ahead of next year’s parliamentary session could bring great rewards for the prime minister and her party, but the risks may outweigh them.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesOct 7
Newly elected Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi’s new party leadership lineup places former Prime Minister Taro Aso as vice president while excluding rival farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his allies. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/07/japan/politics/takaichi-leadership-lineup-ldp/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #taroaso #ldp #shunichisuzuki #takayukikobayashi #harukoarimura #toshimitsumotegi
Takaichi's leadership lineup favors Aso and his allies while shutting out rivals

The new lineup also reflects her desire to reward allies of the party’s former Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi and former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesOct 6
Former Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, a key member of a faction led by former Prime Minister Taro Aso, is likely to be tapped for secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/06/japan/politics/takaichi-ldp-key-posts/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #ldp #taroaso #shunichisuzuki
Suzuki eyed for LDP secretary-general, reflecting Aso’s growing influence

Former Prime Minister Taro Aso's influence in the Liberal Democratic Party under the newly elected Sanae Takaichi is becoming increasingly more evident.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesOct 6
The Democratic Party for the People is looking like the most feasible party to cooperate with Japan's ruling coalition after Sanae Takaichi was elected Liberal Democratic Party president on Saturday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/06/japan/politics/takaichi-leaning-toward-coalition-with-dpp/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ldp #dpp #sanaetakaichi #yuichirotamaki #komeito #nipponishinnokai #taroaso #diet
DPP emerges as most likely candidate to help LDP's ruling coalition

With personal ties between their executives and policy proximity, the Democratic Party for the People seems the likeliest to help the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito coalition.

The Japan Times