Should the high-ranking official not become the Prime Minister, is it due to China's behind-the-scenes manipulation? "Baseless"

Recently, the Komeito Party, long seen as a minor player in Japanese politics, has found itself at the center of controversy. On October 10th local time, the Komeito Party decided to exit the ruling coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), completely breaking away. The path to power for the new LDP leader, Takayuki Sato, suddenly faced a major crisis. Japan's political landscape is now facing a complete reshuffle.

Because Komeito has long advocated for friendly relations with China and actively improved relations with China, some right-wing politicians in Japan have taken advantage of this situation, spreading anti-China issues. Japanese conservative party member Representative Hayao Kitamura and others recently claimed that Komeito's withdrawal from the ruling coalition was "directed by China" in an attempt to "hinder Takayuki Sato from taking office." In response, Tetsuo Katagiri stated that such statements are fabricated and completely inconsistent with the facts.

On October 12th, the Japanese Komeito Party released an interview video of Katagiri on its YouTube channel, addressing multiple hot topics and actively promoting itself externally.

Particularly regarding the topic of Komeito's relationship with China, when asked about the so-called claims that Komeito is pro-China and accepts instructions from China, Katagiri said: "This is entirely a rumor, without any basis. I was elected as a representative of the Japanese people, and I work for the interests of Japan and the Japanese people, which is the duty of a Japanese parliamentarian, and I am not working for China... It is very sad that such rumors have emerged."

Regarding the right-wing politicians like Kitamura who spread these rumors, Katagiri said: "I really want to protest; this is completely inconsistent with the facts."

Kitamura and others provided what they called evidence that Katagiri had met with the Chinese ambassador on October 6th. Katagiri also considered this as mere speculation. He stated that as the head of the Komeito Party, he maintains close relationships with ambassadors from over 30 countries, including China, and regularly exchanges opinions. This meeting had been scheduled well in advance.

Katagiri joked: "If there were any confidential matters to discuss, why would the meeting take place in my office at the parliamentary building?"

The Japanese Parliamentary Building is an official facility managed by the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, used by members of parliament for daily work. "External personnel entering the building must register, and from the moment they step through the entrance, it is completely open and transparent," said Katagiri.

Those spreading such rumors, Hayao Kitamura, was elected as a member of the Japanese Senate for the first time in July this year. His party, the Japanese Conservative Party, was established in 2023 and is regarded by the outside world as a right-wing populist party, with its leader, Shoki Hattori, being a best-selling author in Japan.

Unable to tolerate issues related to political donations

According to the "Japan Economic News", Katagiri met with Takayuki Sato on October 10th for about one and a half hours and informed him that Komeito would withdraw from the ruling coalition with the LDP.

Both sides failed to bridge the gap on strengthening the regulation of corporate and group political donations. Komeito called for narrowing the scope of political groups that can accept corporate and group donations to increase transparency of donations. The LDP, however, took a cautious approach, stating that such measures could affect local legislators.

The "Asahi Shimbun" reported that the conflict between the LDP and Komeito over the issue of "black money" in politics has been ongoing for a long time. Recently, Hashimoto Koichi, a core member of the former Abe faction and long involved in the "black money" scandal, was appointed as the acting secretary general of the LDP by Takayuki Sato, further angering Komeito.

Komeito held an emergency meeting in Tokyo on the 9th, and several participants revealed that there were clear divisions within the party, with most Komeito MPs advocating for exiting the ruling coalition. One Komeito member criticized the LDP using Hashimoto Koichi as an example: "Why appoint someone involved in 'politics and money' issues? Do we need to continue cooperating with such a party?"

Another Komeito member also stated at the meeting: "We cannot compromise on the issue of 'politics and money'. It is the 'top priority' of Komeito, and we absolutely cannot make concessions."

The "Asahi Shimbun" pointed out that during the Japanese House of Representatives election last October, the "black money" scandal severely damaged the LDP's campaign, and the ruling coalition did not gain a majority of seats. At that time, Komeito already had feelings of dissatisfaction. The split between the two parties is also an outbreak of long-standing frustrations within Komeito.

Katagiri said at a press conference on the 10th: "Local legislators have had enough of explaining and supporting the LDP's scandals." Regarding the prime ministerial designation election, Katagiri directly stated, "If reforms cannot be achieved, I will never vote for Takayuki Sato." He said that Komeito MPs will vote for himself in the election.

The LDP and Komeito formed a ruling coalition since 1999, and even during the period from 2009 to 2012 when they became opposition together, they maintained cooperation. Now, after 26 years, the "LDP-Komeito alliance" has broken up, making the situation in the Japanese Diet more complicated. Whether Takayuki Sato can be elected as Prime Minister in the prime ministerial designation election has become uncertain.

Currently, in the Japanese House of Representatives with 465 seats, the LDP has 196 seats, and Komeito has 24 seats. If Takayuki Sato wants to win a majority of support in the prime ministerial designation election, the LDP must reach an agreement with other opposition parties.

Long-term advocate of friendly relations with China

Since its establishment in 1964, Komeito has always made improving Sino-Japanese relations one of its main political goals. According to the "Asahi Shimbun", Komeito has long played the role of a "bridge" between the governments of China and Japan. Even though the Japanese political arena has been increasingly right-leaning since the Abe government, Komeito delegations have almost annually visited China.

The "Asahi Shimbun" analyzed that Takayuki Sato, the new president of the LDP, is a representative figure of the right-wing conservative forces in Japanese politics. He has repeatedly visited the Yasukuni Shrine. If the Sato administration takes office, Sino-Japanese relations will become the most problematic issue in Japan's foreign policy. With Komeito, seen as a "communication bridge" between China and Japan, leaving the ruling coalition, the relationship between the two countries may face greater uncertainty.

Regarding the decision of the Japanese Komeito Party to leave the ruling coalition led by the LDP, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiajun stated on the 10th: "This is an internal matter of Japan, and China does not comment."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1845789018835976/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.