Editorial

14:57 JST, January 16, 2026

The sudden move to dissolve the House of Representatives has created the possibility of a major unifying force emerging for the opposition parties, which had been expected to be put on the defensive in the election.

Will Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi be able to build a stable foundation for her administration through the lower house election as she intended? Or will a new party that advocates centrist or reformist policies capture voters’ hopes? The upcoming election will be a short-term battle that holds the potential for political realignment.

Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan President Yoshihiko Noda and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito held talks and agreed to form a new party. They said that, ahead of the lower house election, which is expected as early as early February, lower house Diet members from both........

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