In the wake of a turbulent year that solidified Komeito＊s steady decline with voters and saw it abruptly leave the ruling coalition, the future of the party seems more uncertain than ever.
The end of the party＊s quarter-century marriage with the Liberal Democratic Party, arguably one of the most successful alliances in Japanese history, has raised a slew of questions 〞 whose answers are, at best, up in the air.
§We had to endure many things during our time in the coalition,§ Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito, 73, said. ※Now it＊s become easier for us to put forward our own policies. Our supporters are happier.§
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