Japan opposition parties form election bloc to challenge Takaichi

A Toyota HiAce used in the 2024 Liberal Democratic Party leadership race, featuring a photo of Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and messages from supporters across Japan, is displayed at a museum in Nara on January 14, 2026. [AFP]

Two Japanese opposition parties agreed Thursday to join forces to fight Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling coalition, forming an alliance seeking to draw swing voters in anticipated snap elections.

"We have agreed to form a new party to jointly fight," said Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the largest opposition outfit, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP).