Komeito

The Komeito (公明党), also known as Clean Government Party or CGP, was a political party in Japan. It was left-wing, though it was more to the center, and was generally classified as a socialist party.

History

Komeito was formed in 1964 from a minor political party, the Clean Government Political Assembly. At this time, the political party was heavily affiliated with Soka Gakkai, a major Buddhist organization in Japan. It was usually supportive of the Japan Socialist Party, and was against the Liberal Democratic Party, the major ruling party at that time.

Usually seen as a radical party by opponents, it failed to win many seats at the elections, and in 1971, Komeito's leaders officially separated itself from Soka Gakkai, though it and its antecedents to this day still have a strong unofficial position with the religion.

Komeito did quite well, and in 1993, when the LDP was for the first time declared an opposition party, the Komeito became one of the ruling parties, headed by the liberal Japan New Party, but which also included the Democratic Socialist Party, Japan Renewal Party, the New Party Sakigake, and the Japan Socialist Party. In 1994, however, the latter two parties left the coalition, and in July, they took over the rule making another coalition with the LDP. The Komeito was again thrown into opposition.

On December 5, 1994, The Komeito split into two parties. Lower House chairs and some of Upper House chars formed Komeito New Party, and 5 days later, they joined into the New Frontier Party. The others, i.e. local assembly members and the rest of Upper House chairs, formed Komei and independent friend of the New Frontier Party.

In 1998, however, the New Frontier Party dissolved and former Komeito members formed New Peace Party and Reform Club. They merged with Komei in the same year and then became known as the New Komeito. The New Komeito adopted more conservative agenda than former Komeito and in 1999 they supported the ruling party, the Liberal Democrats.

ee also

*Clean Government Political Assembly
*New Komeito
*Japan
*Politics of Japan
*List of political parties in Japan
*Democratic Party of Japan
*Japan Socialist Party
*Social Democratic Party (Japan)
*Japanese Communist Party
*Socialism
*Left-wing