14:00 JST, February 14, 2026

How long will the members of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito remain separated in the House of Councillors? Won’t their local organizations join the party? The future of the Centrist Reform Alliance remains unclear.

The new leader must first clearly present a vision for the party’s future.

In the CRA leadership election, former CDPJ Secretary General Junya Ogawa defeated Takeshi Shina, also formerly of the CDPJ, to become the new leader. Ogawa’s term in office is about one year, running until the end of March next year.

The CRA, formed just before the dissolution of the House of Representatives last month, had no established rules for a leadership election. Following the resignation of coleaders Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito to take responsibility for the........

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