The sudden decision by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and Komeito to form a new party with what they say is a centrist bent has the ruling Liberal Democratic Party concerned, as Japan braces for a snap election next month.
LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki criticized the formation of the new party, whose name was unveiled Friday as the Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA). He likened it to a mutual aid society that downplays its policy differences in the hope of winning votes through mutual support at election time. Suzuki questioned whether the CRA really was a centrist party, and expressed doubts it would last long.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Itsunori Onodera 〞 the chair of the LDP＊s research commission on security 〞 said the new party could mean bad news for certain LDP district candidates in a Lower House race, especially those who won their seats with support from Komeito voters in the last election.
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