Senior Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) MP Proposes: "Let's Have Takahashi Hayato Resign and Hold New Elections" On October 12, regarding the report that Komeito is planning to exit the ruling coalition in Japan, Shuntaro Funada, a senior LDP member of the House of Representatives and former Minister of Economic Planning, proposed two options through his Facebook account. The first option is for Ishiba Sho to withdraw his resignation statement and temporarily take charge of government affairs. The second option is for Takahashi Hayato, who was just elected as the party president, to resign and hold new elections.

Funada described the news about Komeito's planned withdrawal from the ruling coalition as "a bolt from the blue." He expressed that it is understandable to be angry about Komeito's reason for withdrawal, which is "political and financial issues."

Additionally, regarding the 26-year-long "LDP-Komeito alliance," Funada commented that when the LDP's policies were too radical, Komeito played a moderating role, helping achieve balance in Japanese government policies.

He also expressed regret over the end of the coalition government, stating that "this will be a huge loss not only for the LDP but also for the Japanese people."

Some within the LDP have suggested that during the House of Representatives election, LDP candidates should compete against Komeito candidates in the districts where Komeito candidates are running. Funada opposed this proposal, saying, "Such an approach is too immature and can even be considered unreasonable."

He emphasized that there are still many collaborations between the LDP and Komeito at the local level. If these collaborations break down, many LDP members would face difficulties, which could be favorable for the opposition parties. According to reports, Soka Gakkai, the support base of Komeito, has the influence of approximately 20,000 votes in each district.

There is also an opinion that the LDP should give up being in power and see what the opposition parties can do. Funada said that such a mindset is extremely irresponsible.

He listed two possible options for the LDP to maintain its position as the ruling party: forming a ruling coalition with the Japan Innovation Party and the Constitutional Democratic Party, or forming a ruling coalition with the Constitutional Democratic Party and establishing partial cooperation with the Japan Innovation Party. However, he simultaneously stated that both options are "extremely difficult."

In his post, he proposed a "possibility," which is for Ishiba Sho to withdraw his resignation statement, temporarily maintain the operation of the Diet, and handle urgent issues such as reform of political donations, and then re-negotiate with Komeito.

Based on this, he further proposed that if the above plan proves difficult to implement, it would be necessary for Takahashi Hayato to step down as the party president, quickly hold a new presidential election, and under the leadership of the new president, explore the path of rebuilding the governance framework within the ruling coalition.

Before the dissolution of the LDP factions, Funada belonged to the Miki faction. In the previous LDP presidential election, Funada voted for Ishiba Sho in the second round. In this LDP presidential election, he was a supporter of Miki Toshimitsu, and in the second round of voting, he cast his vote for Koizumi Jinno.

According to a report by Kyodo News, Shuichiro Nomura, a senator of the LDP and former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, stated on the 11th that he believes the conservative actions of Takahashi Hayato had an impact on this situation. Nomura was also previously part of the Miki faction.

Nomura said, "I can't help but regret whether it was right to elect Ms. Takahashi as the new president. Komeito may feel 'repulsion' towards Ms. Takahashi."

He also stated that currently, there is no member of the LDP's executive branch who has a communication channel with Komeito.

He said, "There is no one who can dialogue with Komeito on equal terms, which is a weakness of Ms. Takahashi. Once the relationship between the two parties breaks down, it will be difficult to restore it to its original state."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1845788975633416/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.