key takeaways
- Kōmeitō leader Saitō Tetsuo, after meeting with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Takaichi Sanae on 10 October, said that his party would end the coalition with the LDP.
- Kōmeitō’s exit opens the possibility that a multi-party coalition could block Takaichi from becoming prime minister, and, even if she wins, her position – and the LDP’s – is increasingly tenuous.
- The possibility of a snap election contested in unfavorable circumstances for the LDP continues to grow.