Key Facts
• July 22: Yoshimura, leader of Japan Innovation Party, announced plans to propose a law for the ‘Secondary Capital’ initiative.
• July 21: Party founder Hashimoto urged coalition with ruling parties to achieve the plan.
• July 25: Deputy leader Yokoyama supported exploring all options for the initiative.
• ‘Secondary Capital’ aims to establish Osaka as a backup for Tokyo’s functions during crises.
• Japan Innovation Party’s vote share halved to 4.38 million in the 2022 Upper House election.
• Ruling coalition (Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito) lost majority in the recent Upper House election.
• Liberal Democratic Party sees Japan Innovation Party as a favorable coalition partner due to policy alignment.
• Internal resistance exists within Japan Innovation Party, with concerns over public perception and current leadership of the ruling coalition.
• Future coalition depends on the outcome of the Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership election.
Summary
The Japan Innovation Party is considering a coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito to advance its ‘Secondary Capital’ plan, which aims to establish Osaka as a backup for Tokyo’s functions during emergencies. This initiative, a long-standing policy goal, seeks to address national crisis management and economic growth. Recent electoral losses for both the ruling coalition and the Japan Innovation Party have prompted discussions of collaboration. While some party leaders, including Yoshimura and Hashimoto, advocate for the coalition, internal opposition remains due to concerns over public perception and the current leadership of the ruling coalition. The party is closely monitoring the Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership election, with potential coalition prospects hinging on the selection of a reform-oriented leader.
