Japan’s Ruling Coalition Collapses as Komeito Quits, Threatening Takaichi’s Historic Premiership Bid

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Japan’s ruling coalition collapsed on Friday after junior partner Komeito abruptly quit its 25-year alliance with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), casting doubt on Sanae Takaichi’s bid to become the country’s first female prime minister.

Takaichi, who became LDP leader less than a week ago, had been expected to win parliamentary approval this month to succeed Shigeru Ishiba. But the surprise withdrawal by Komeito — citing dissatisfaction over corruption scandals and policy disagreements — has thrown Japan into political uncertainty.

The announcement rattled financial markets, with the yen weakening against the dollar and the Nikkei 225 closing down 1.0 percent on Friday.

Coalition Rift Deepens Over Scandal, Conservatism

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito told reporters after crisis talks that his party could no longer support the alliance, saying the LDP had failed to meet key reform demands.

“Given that we have not received clear and concrete cooperation from the LDP regarding our demands… it would be utterly impossible for us to write Sanae Takaichi’s name in the nomination,” Saito said.

Saito cited Takaichi’s unsatisfactory response to the LDP’s recent slush fund scandal, which has angered voters and eroded the party’s standing.

While Komeito said it would still back ongoing budget and legislative measures, its withdrawal effectively strips the LDP of its governing majority in both houses of parliament.

Ideological Divide Widens

Komeito, a centrist party with pacifist leanings, was also uneasy about Takaichi’s conservative politics and her past visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals.

The last such visit by a sitting prime minister — Shinzo Abe in 2013 — provoked anger from China and South Korea, and concern in Washington. Media reports suggest Takaichi may skip visiting the shrine during the upcoming autumn festival (October 17–19) to avoid diplomatic fallout.

Political Future Uncertain

Takaichi, 64, a self-described admirer of Margaret Thatcher, had hailed her election as LDP leader as the start of a “new era.” She defeated Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, in a runoff last week — a younger, more progressive figure who had represented a generational shift within the LDP.

The party has been losing support amid inflation, corruption scandals, and growing enthusiasm for smaller populist movements such as the anti-immigration Sanseito party.

If Takaichi still manages to form a government, she will face a challenging agenda — including a sluggish economy, ageing population, rising geopolitical tensions, and public concern over immigration.

One of her first major diplomatic duties as premier would be to receive U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to visit Japan in late October.