Back in 1964, when the lay Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai founded Komeito, many people looked on warily: They believed it violated the Constitution¡¯s separation of religion and politics.
But in the week Komeito marked its 50th anniversary, observers say the party has successfully diluted its religious connotations and become a key player in politics.
¡°Komeito has changed its image,¡± said Steven Reed, a political scientist at Chuo University. ¡°Komeito in 1964, it was this one thing. Komeito in 2014 is another thing.¡±
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