Behind the Formation of the Sanae Takaichi Administration: How NHK Party’s Kenichiro Saito Could Impact the LDP

The new parliamentary group name is Liberal Democratic Party–Independents

“This one really caught me off guard,” a political reporter from a national newspaper said with a wry smile.

On October 21, the Sanae Takaichi administration, formed through a coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), officially took power. Behind the scenes, however, another event — one that could be called shocking in its own right — had taken place.

On October 15, Takashi Tachibana (58), leader of the Party to Protect the People from NHK (N-Koku), posted on X:

“I’ve been holding off on making this public, but it’s now official. Kenichiro Saito, member of the House of Councillors from the Party to Protect the People from NHK, will be joining the LDP parliamentary group.”

According to Kyodo News, the new group will be called “Liberal Democratic Party–Independents.” Checking the House of Councillors’ official website confirmed that the name had indeed changed, and the group’s membership had increased from 100 to 101 — with Saito’s name now listed alongside LDP Upper House members.

The development left many stunned. On social media, comments such as “Has the LDP really sunk this low?” quickly spread.

The LDP, which has lost its majority in both houses, may be eager to increase its numbers — but what real benefit does adding just one member bring?

“The LDP’s motive isn’t what it seems,”

says political analyst and election watcher Chidai. We spoke with him to find out more.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female prime minister on October 21

“They’ve said Saito himself requested to join the caucus, but I heard that Upper House LDP member Masashi Nishida from Kyoto acted as the go-between. The final decision was made by another lawmaker, but it’s not that Sanae Takaichi was unaware — people are saying, ‘This probably wouldn’t have happened under any administration other than the Takaichi administration.’ There isn’t much numerical meaning to the LDP teaming up with the N-Koku party — it’s only one seat in the House of Councillors.

So what’s the point? One possibility is that N-Koku has close ties with the former Unification Church (the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification), so people suspect N-Koku could become a conduit between the LDP and the former Unification Church. Also, Saito is a member of the General Affairs Committee, so the LDP might want to bring N-Koku’s aggressive media criticism into that committee. And because Tachibana has a large platform, some may hope to exploit his reach. Others may think that riding N-Koku’s popularity will boost the LDP’s appeal,” says election watcher Chidai.

Speaking of N-Koku’s ties to the former Unification Church, at an N-Koku press conference on June 13, Tachibana openly said, “We will accept the support of the former Unification Church, the Family Federation.” He has also spoken at a former Unification Church event in March, so the close relationship between N-Koku and the former Unification Church is obvious to anyone.

Many people worry that if the LDP teams up with N-Koku, ties to the former Unification Church could be revived. Would such an alliance actually increase the LDP’s popularity?

“Even those on the net-right are saying, ‘This is going too far’ — so I don’t see how partnering with N-Koku would boost popularity. In fact, many LDP members have questioned the move and voiced concern that it will create risks. Some long-time LDP supporters and ordinary party members who have a more neutral view could be driven away. If the party faces renewed allegations of secret funds and reopens ties to the former Unification Church, internal turmoil will only increase,” Chidai says.

As a result, there is a risk the LDP’s collapse could accelerate. Will the party destroy itself before it destroys NHK?