Komeito: Sokagakkai-Ism in Japanese Politics

Abstract

he December 1969 elections in Japan have strongly bolstered Komeito's image in contrast to the severe setback to its main party rival, the Japan Socialist Party (JSP). Although it is still doubtful whether Komeito will replace the JSP as Japan's leading party within a few years, Komeito does not yet appear to have reached the natural limitation point of its growth that has long been predicted by its critics. In the recent elections, the Komeito failed to achieve its short-range goal of securing 51 seats-the minimum a party must possess to be qualified by law to submit budget bills or motions in the lower house-but it did elect 47 of its 76 candidates, nearly doubling its preelection strength of 25 seats. Since the Komeito represents merely a small fraction of the Japanese political public, its apparent strength is rather negligible. The results of the general election, however, are significant in that Komeito has maintained the momentum gained in each election. Furthermore, as minority parties exercise power far out of proportion to their numerical strength in the Diet, Komeito now finds itself in an advantageous bargaining position. The Socialists require the cooperation of the Komeito in any joint-front opposition movement while the ruling Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP), in spite of their commanding majority in the national legislature, would like to develop an amicable rather than a hostile relationship with Komeito in order to deter it from joining the Socialist camp. The Komeito is not as yet a real rival to either of the two leading parties, but both the LDP and the JSP are fully aware of Komeito's potential if its present victory trend persists in the future. The leading parties, which once scoffed at Komeito's claims, are now taking a closer look at it.