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Tag - tetsuo-saito

 
 

TETSUO SAITO

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leaders Yoshihiko Noda (left) and Tetsuo Saito speak during a live TV program Sunday in Tokyo following the party's defeat in the Lower House election.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Feb 9, 2026
CRA¡¯s Noda and Saito hint at resignations after electoral drubbing
The Centrist Reform Alliance¡¯s poor performance in Sunday¡¯s Lower House election could force co-leaders Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito to resign.
Yoshihiko Noda (left) and Tetsuo Saito, co-chairs of the new Centrist Reform Alliance, shake hands at the party's founding convention in Tokyo on Thursday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 27, 2026
Japan¡¯s new ¡®Centrist Reform Alliance¡¯ is a misnomer
The Centrist Reform Alliance is asking voters to embrace a brand label rather than a fully formed policy platform and a partnership of convenience.
Centrist Reform Alliance co-leaders Yoshihiko Noda (second from left) and Tetsuo Saito (third from left) cheer at the launch of their party at the parliament building in Tokyo on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 26, 2026
Centrists vs. conservatives? It¡¯s not that simple.
Beyond the labels that they use for themselves, the policy proposals of candidates and their parties show that their differences are more nuanced ¡ª and confusing.
Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, speaks in Tokyo on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jan 24, 2026
Parties gear up for Lower House election after dissolution
Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said that the election would be an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the new ruling coalition.
CDP Secretary-General Jun Azumi (left) and his Komeito counterpart, Makoto Nishida, announce the CRA's policies in Tokyo on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jan 19, 2026
CRA unveils platform adopting Komeito line on security and nuclear energy
The party outlined its position on security legislation and nuclear energy and pledged to permanently scrap the consumption tax on food.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (left) and his Komeito counterpart, Tetsuo Saito, announce their coalition's new name, the Centrist Reform Alliance, at a joint news conference in Tokyo on Friday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 18, 2026
Komeito and CDP form new party, but doubts linger over political viability
The new party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, has an uninspired name and logo, suggesting a rushed and unconvincing partnership.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (center) and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito (second from right) announce the name of their new party along with other party executives in Tokyo on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 16, 2026
Why the CDP and Komeito are forming a new party
The party is hoping that the new tie-up will attract moderate voters who are reluctant to vote for the conservatism of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (right) and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito hold a meeting in Tokyo on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jan 15, 2026
CDP and Komeito agree to form new centrist party
The move, coming ahead of a snap election likely to take place in February, is set to remodel Japan¡¯s political landscape.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito (left) and Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan chief Yoshihiko Noda have agreed to cooperate on "a higher level" on the fielding of candidates in electoral districts.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jan 13, 2026
CDP and Komeito agree to create new centrist force, but questions remain
The two parties have yet to hammer out all the details, but they are aligned on the need for a broad centrist force in the event a snap election is called.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito says the party's rupture with the Liberal Democratic Party has given new life to its support base.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 29, 2025
Komeito forced to chart new path after divorce from LDP
The party faces an urgent need to redefine its identity and set itself apart from its competitors.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito says he hopes to visit China soon to help ease tension between Beijing and Tokyo.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Dec 11, 2025
Japan-China spat lacks immediate off-ramp despite Komeito talks
Tetsuo Saito, the head of former ruling coalition partner Komeito, says he¡¯s spoken several times with China¡¯s ambassador.
In Japan, the left-right label doesn¡¯t apply as conveniently as in the United States or Europe.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / EXPLAINER
Nov 27, 2025
A guide to Japan¡¯s political parties ... beyond the binary labels
The origins of the respective parties and who backs them ¡ª rather than left-right labels ¡ª are more consistent indicators of their leanings.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (right) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura pose for a picture after signing an agreement to form a coalition, at the National Diet Building in Tokyo on Oct 20.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 28, 2025
Smaller parties set to suffer most if LDP and JIP reduce Lower House seats
Smaller parties such as Komeito could lose out the most if a bill is passed to reduce Lower House seats by 10%.
Komeito chief representative Tetsuo Saito speaks during a debate with leaders of other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo in July. His party exited the ruling coalition with the ruling-LDP after 26 years, citing concerns over political donations and transparency.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 17, 2025
Is Komeito¡¯s split with the LDP really about political funding?
Was Komeito negotiating in good faith or looking to undermine the Takaichi administration before it even commenced?
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday after leaving the ruling coalition earlier in the day.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Oct 12, 2025
After ruling bloc collapses, LDP and opposition scramble to find needed votes for PM
New LDP President Sanae Takaichi faces a higher hurdle in finding the votes needed to become Japan¡¯s next leader as opposition forces discuss a unified candidate.
LDP leader Sanae Takaichi and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito attend a party leaders' meeting on Friday in Tokyo.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Oct 10, 2025
Takaichi¡¯s PM bid faces further headwinds with coalition split
Komeito¡¯s decision to end the 26-year partnership with the LDP means the ruling party will need to court opposition parties to vote Takaichi in as prime minister.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito (left) and LDP counterpart Sanae Takaichi meet in Tokyo on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 8, 2025
After 26 years, Komeito may be showing signs it will break with LDP
Komeito not immediately endorsing Takaichi reflects deep concerns among Soka Gakkai members, the party¡¯s main supporters in the lay Buddhist group, about her ideology and policies.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito speaks to reporters at parliament after meeting with Liberal Democratic Party executives on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Oct 7, 2025
Future of Japan¡¯s ruling coalition uncertain as Komeito pushes back on Takaichi
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito has said that they cannot form a coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party unless Komeito¡¯s concerns are addressed.
Komeito head Tetsuo Saito says his party cannot form a coalition government with any party that doesn¡¯t align itself with its moderate conservative policies.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 2, 2025
LDP presidential election could be turning point for Komeito
After Saturday¡¯s vote, the junior coalition partner will have to adjust to a new LDP, one whose values might differ from its own.
Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi speaks in Tokyo on Thursday. He is attempting to become Liberal Democratic Party president for the second time.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 12, 2025
Will a more conservative leader emerge from the LDP presidential election?
Conservative members of the party are looking to elect such a leader, but there is a possibility that their votes might be split between two presidential hopefuls.

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon

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