On Oct. 20, 2026, the third installment of that year’s political party subsidies totaling 5億8000万円 went to the Chudo Kairan-rengo, a political party with just one remaining lawmaker. The massive payout triggered widespread public questioning and criticism that shows no signs of subsiding. A political reporter notes that after the party effectively disbanded in September, Komeito-affiliated lawmakers moved to Komeito while most Constitutional Democratic Party-affiliated lawmakers shifted to the newly established Minshu-Kaikaku-no-Kai. That left only House of Representatives member Sosuke Watanabe, 49, behind in the Chudo Kairan-rengo to handle remaining tasks, liquidation procedures, and support activities for defeated lawmakers, with an identical fourth installment scheduled for December.
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Funding Structure
According to Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications information, political party subsidies consist of a combination of a legislator-count allocation and a vote-count allocation. If no House of Representatives election occurs in 2027, the legislator-count portion for 2027 will be paid to the respective destinations of the lawmakers who left the Chudo Kairan-rengo. Meanwhile, the vote-count portion, amounting to an annual total of about 約17億円, will be delivered entirely to the Chudo Kairan-rengo. Although the legal framework permits this arrangement, many citizens remain unsatisfied, directing their criticism toward Watanabe through active commentary on social media platforms.
Did You Know? Political party subsidies in Japan are calculated using a combined formula based on both the number of affiliated legislators and the total vote count garnered by the party.
Former lawmaker defends Watanabe on social media
Former House of Representatives member Akiko Kamei, 61, who previously worked alongside Watanabe in the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Chudo Kairan-rengo, posted her personal views on X on Oct. 31 amid mounting public concern. Kamei stated that seeing Watanabe bear the brunt of criticism over the party subsidies compelled her to speak out. She questioned why Watanabe, who fought through a tough single-member district race and is recovering from illness, was handed this specific role, adding that leaving one person behind for leftover duties is problematic and that responsibility lies elsewhere. However, her remarks failed to serve as a defense and instead provoked further backlash.
Replies to Kamei’s post included sharp criticism, with users arguing that her mention of an illness was irrelevant and merely an attempt to deflect or seek sympathy, while others dismissed it as internal party logic. Meanwhile, a political journalist pointed out that Watanabe addressed the situation when Bunshun Online interviewed him regarding fund usage on Oct. 28, though Watanabe suggested the reporting contained discrepancies and understated remarks.
Watanabe Defends Fund Management on X
Watanabe posted a clarification on X on Oct. 29, stating that no national Chudo regional branches received disbursements after the October subsidies arrived, and no future branch disbursements are planned prior to the closure of all branches. He added that the Chudo Kairan-rengo never distributed state subsidies to the branches of the Minshu-Kaikaku-no-Kai. While some in Nagatacho view Watanabe as having drawn a raw deal, he shared detailed responses regarding his appointment and the current situation with the publication.
Watanabe explained that the executive board reached a consensus before the party split, with Secretary-General Takeshi Kai formally proposing the plan in a plenary assembly of lawmakers where it won unanimous approval. Having served as organization committee chair and executive office chief after the general election, Watanabe accepted the post because the required party liquidation tasks fell within his previous purview and keeping someone with practical administrative experience would prevent branch confusion and excessive burdens on party headquarters staff. Addressing the wider criticism, Watanabe acknowledged the complexity of the situation and the divided party lines stemming from failed tripartite talks.
Ministry explains subsidy rules after party departures
Why did the Chudo Kairan-rengo receive a 5億8000万円 subsidy despite having only one lawmaker?
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications states that party subsidies combine legislator-count and vote-count allocations, meaning the party remains legally entitled to the vote-count portion even after most members departed.
What happened to the lawmakers who left the Chudo Kairan-rengo in September?
Following the de facto dissolution of the Chudo Kairan-rengo in September, Komeito-affiliated lawmakers joined Komeito, while most Constitutional Democratic Party-affiliated lawmakers transitioned to the newly formed Minshu-Kaikaku-no-Kai.
What are the future plans for the Chudo Kairan-rengo and its funds?
The party plans to maintain its legal existence temporarily to handle financial processing and the closure of nationwide regional branches, with an eventual plan to re-integrate with the Minshu-Kaikaku-no-Kai following the completion of these liquidation tasks.
How should political parties manage financial dissolution and remaining subsidies when lawmakers split into different factions?
Keep reading