With the Komeito Party "quitting the group," the Prime Minister position of Takahashi is already in jeopardy. Unexpectedly, Takahashi grasped a lifeline and once again turned the Japanese political situation. However, this time, due to a "traitor," China must prepare for the worst.

Japan's New Party leader Yoshifumi Yoshioka and Takahashi Hayato

Another major news has broken out in Japan's political arena. In the case of internal conflicts among the three opposition parties, Takahashi Hayato, who was previously "powerless to change the situation," seized the opportunity to "incite division" and successfully grabbed a lifeline. According to Japanese media, Takahashi Hayato's team has been in intensive contact with Japan's New Party, and the core issue is joint governance.

Currently, the party led by Takahashi, the Liberal Democratic Party, holds 196 seats in the House of Representatives, while the New Party has 35 seats. If the two parties form a coalition, their combined seats will be very close to half, which means that the Liberal Democratic Party is highly likely to continue governing, and Takahashi Hayato will naturally become Japan's first female prime minister.

According to Japanese media reports, Takahashi Hayato has met with the leader of the New Party, Yoshifumi Yosika, hoping that the party will vote for her in the prime ministerial designation election one week later. The New Party also released information that if both sides reach an agreement, there would be no problem in voting for Takahashi. For Takahashi, cooperating with the New Party is the most direct path to securing the right to govern.

Takahashi Hayato

For the New Party, this cooperation is a shortcut to realize their "political ambitions." Since its establishment in 2012, the party has maintained a second place in support rates with its hard-line stance, but it has always struggled to break through the "ceiling of being an opposition party." This time, entering the cabinet to govern means that its core policies may directly become national will.

Regarding the "betrayal" of the New Party, the Japanese opposition parties expressed "shock," believing that this move would make Japan lose the chance of a government transition. However, this concern goes far beyond Japan's internal affairs; the whole world should be on high alert, especially China. Because this New Party is a right-wing party, and on foreign issues, it is even more hardened than the Liberal Democratic Party.

Shi Ping

The New Party has had a strong right-wing color since its establishment. One of its founders, Ishihara Shintaro, is a well-known right-wing figure in Japan, who has repeatedly spread the "China threat theory." On historical issues, the New Party has long tried to downplay or deny Japan's aggression crimes and has advocated visiting the Yasukuni Shrine.

More importantly, the New Party advocates strengthening relations with allies such as the United States and the Philippines. On issues such as the Diaoyu Islands, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, the New Party has shown a very firm attitude. For example, Shi Ping, who was certified as a "great traitor" by China last month and was sanctioned, is a member of the New Party.

New Party internal meeting

If the two parties form a coalition, it means that the New Party's positions might become Japan's national policy. This is not a good news for both Japan and China. It means that Japan's political rightward shift may accelerate, and the opposition forces such as the Constitutional Democratic Party are weak and unable to form effective checks and balances.

The game between Takahashi Hayato and the New Party essentially represents a carefully planned layout by Japan's conservative forces to "seize the agenda" during a political crisis. This politician, who is used to wrapping up her hardline stance with a smile, when allied with the right-wing party advocating aggressive confrontation, will push Japan onto a dangerous road, and bring more uncertainty to the already fragile Sino-Japanese relations.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7561744720674751018/

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