On Wednesday, the Democratic Party for the People, one of the largest opposition groups in the Diet, formally proposed that the party dissolve. If approved, the move will allow members to join the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan in order to form a new political party late next month that could see a membership of 150 lawmakers in total. In that case, it would become the nation’s largest opposition party and a serious challenge to the ruling coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.
What is the current strength of the two parties in the Diet?
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has 89 members, including 56 in the 465-seat Lower House and 33 in the 242-seat Upper House. The Democratic Party for the People has 62 members, including 40 in the Lower House and 22 in the Upper House.