While many members of Komei are concerned about the future of Shinshinto, three from the Tokyo, Fukuoka and Osaka constituencies have decided to join Shinshinto and run as the party's candidates in next summer's Upper House election, Komei chief Tomio Fujii told Shinshinto President Ichiro Ozawa on Aug. 19.
Ozawa has been asking Fujii to persuade Komei members join Shinshinto soon so that the party can select candidates for the election. Ozawa told a press conference later that the party will draw up a list of official candidates as soon as possible.
Komei is made up of lawmakers who formerly belonged to Komeito. While most Komeito members joined Shinshinto when it was created in December 1994, some Upper House members and all local assembly members did not, forming Komei instead. They are to eventually join Shinshinto.
Komei, as well as its predecessor, Komeito, is based on support from Soka Gakkai, the nation's largest lay Buddhist organization.
However, some Komei group members in the Upper House are expressing reluctance to join Shinshinto because they believe it may be difficult to win re-election if they run as Shinshinto members.
Since most of them were elected from the proportional representation system, Fujii has asked Ozawa to put them high on the list so that many have a chance to be re-elected.