NHK Party Caucus Entry Sparks LDP Hyogo Protest as Matsuyama Weighs Next Steps

“I can’t imagine us doing this together.”

The thing people had been worried about seems to have become reality.

On October 22, Mainichi Shimbun reported, “LDP and N-Party lawmakers’ Upper House caucus draws protest — Hyogo Prefectural LDP assembly group to request dissolution.” According to the report, in response to LDP and NHK Party–affiliated lawmakers forming a caucus in the Upper House, the LDP bloc in the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly decided to request an explanation of the circumstances and the dissolution of the merger from LDP Upper House Caucus Chair Masaji Matsuyama (66). The Hyogo LDP prefectural chapter also plans to seek an explanation.

Shunsuke Taniguchi (47), secretary-general of the prefectural LDP bloc, said:

“I have no choice but to hold doubts about working together with the NHK Party itself. The party has given us no explanation whatsoever, and there is no way to explain this to voters.”

The Sankei Shimbun also reported:

“After the formation of the LDP/Independents caucus, the prefectural LDP bloc held a general meeting and unanimously decided to submit a statement.”

“A Hyogo LDP assembly member, Kenichi Okutani (40), has been repeatedly slandered by Takashi Tachibana (58) and has even filed a criminal complaint. His feeling of ‘I can’t even imagine working together’ must be strong. Virtually all LDP prefectural assembly members are saying, ‘We can’t help but question the idea of joining forces.’ Assembly members outside the LDP are also saying, ‘Impossible,’” said a reporter from a local TV station.

In response to these reports, NHK Party leader Tachibana posted a video on his YouTube channel titled “Kenichi Okutani-san, I’m sorry — please forgive me.” This too has drawn strong criticism. In the video, Tachibana said the following:

“We spoke with Prime Minister Takaichi and were allowed to join the caucus. Well, I can understand how Mr. Okutani feels, but let’s call it even now. Let’s work together, Okutani-kun. I did a bunch of unnecessary things in the past, Okutani-kun, forgive me. I’d even go lick your shoes.”

As he spoke, he stuck out his tongue and made a licking gesture.

90% of the members of the Liberal Democratic Party were skeptical about it.

On social media, people said things like:

“It’s obvious this isn’t an apology — he’s just mocking them.”

“Enough with the joking around.”

Criticism poured in.

In the video posted before the apology video, Tachibana had mocked Prefectural Assembly Member Okutani and Shinsuke Suematsu, the LDP Upper House Vice Chair elected from Hyogo:

“Aren’t they looking down on us?”

“I don’t think Hyogo prefectural assembly members are liked by Prime Minister Takaichi.”

And then, as if provoking them, he added:

“If you have complaints, why don’t you just quit the LDP? Okutani-kun and Suematsu-sensei. Senator Suematsu too.”

Realizing that the Hyogo LDP was truly furious, Tachibana uploaded the apology video — but it hardly looked like an apology.

“The apology video just poured fuel on the fire. According to Representative Kenichiro Saito, they say they got unofficial approval through Senator Shoji Nishida (67), then met with Masaji Matsuyama, the Upper House LDP Caucus Chair, through Secretary-General Junichi Ishii (67), and reached an agreement. Naturally, Prime Minister Takaichi must also know.

If that’s the case, then either they didn’t really understand what the NHK Party is, or they genuinely welcomed them. I’ve heard that not just the Hyogo LDP members, but 90 percent of LDP lawmakers are expressing doubts. There’s a high possibility things will become turbulent,” said the national newspaper reporter.

But why did the LDP decide to form a caucus with Representative Saito in the first place? When we sent written questions to the office of Matsuyama, who approved the NHK Party’s entry into the caucus, we received the following answers:

— Did you obtain approval from Party President Takaichi?

“We followed proper procedures, such as reporting to the Executive Board and the LDP Upper House General Assembly.”

— Why did the LDP decide to form a caucus with Representative Saito?

“The ‘N-Koku Party’ does not meet the requirements to be a political party, so Representative Saito is technically an independent. After policy consultations, since he agreed to follow the LDP’s direction, we decided to form a caucus.”

— How did you explain this to the Hyogo Prefectural LDP assembly group?

“We provided an explanation to the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly group through the prefectural chapter.”

— Is there a possibility of dissolving the merger?

“As long as he acts in accordance with LDP rules, there will be no dissolution.”

According to Matsuyama’s office, it appears Representative Saito will not be leaving the caucus — but will the anger of the Hyogo prefectural assembly bloc subside? In any case, it seems clear that the LDP has taken on a political time bomb.