Democratic Party leader Seiji Maehara faces the imminent departure of several members. | KYODO

National / Politics

DP lawmakers unhappy with JCP election alliance consider exiting party

JIJI

Several Lower House members of the Democratic Party are considering quitting over its election cooperation alliance with the Japanese Communist Party, sources familiar with the situation said.

The members are expected to submit their letters of resignation to the major opposition party as early as this week.

“A decision to leave the party needs to be made within this week,” one of them said.

The dissenters are mainly members of an intraparty group once led by former Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, who quit the DP last month.

Defections would represent another setback for new DP President Seiji Maehara, who just lost his first choice for secretary-general, Lower House member Shiori Yamao, after she resigned amid allegations of an extramarital affair last week.

The dissenters think it will be difficult for the DP to revive its fortunes under Maehara’s leadership and skipped a general meeting of the party on Tuesday at which his new executive team was inaugurated.

After exiting, the dissenters are expected to explore the possibility of forming a new party this year with Hosono and independent Lower House member Masaru Wakasa, a close aide to Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike.

LATEST NATIONAL STORIES

Elementary school students in Yachimata, Chiba Prefecture, return to school Tuesday morning after Typhoon Faxai caused widespread blackouts, leading to a weeklong closure.

20,000 homes damaged by Typhoon Faxai; classes resume at many Chiba schools: The powerful typhoon that hit the Tokyo metropolitan area earlier this month appears to have damaged at least 20,000 houses in Chiba Prefecture, local government officials said Tuesday. T...

A man tries riding an electric wheelchair made by Whill Inc. in Yao, Osaka Prefecture, on June 9.

Firms promote electric wheelchairs as more Japanese turn in their driving permits: The government and manufacturers are promoting electric wheelchairs as a means of transportation to replace automobiles at a time when elderly people are increasingly returning their driver's li...

North Korea claims Japanese ships 'made illegal intrusion' in August: North Korea said Tuesday a patrol boat and ships of the Japan Coast Guard "made illegal intrusion" into its exclusive economic zone late last month. The North's official Korean Central News Agen...