ISTANBUL

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Friday faced a major setback as its junior coalition partner decided to quit the alliance.

Tetsuo Saito, the leader of the Komeito party, has conveyed to the newly elected LDP President Sanae Takaichi that the party will end the alliance, which has spanned more than 25 years, NHK reported.

Takaichi, a conservative politician, was elected the first female president of the LDP early this month, likely to stand for the premier election this month.

Although the coalition did not gain a majority in the Japanese parliament in the general elections held last year, the alliance was short of just 12 lawmakers to achieve a majority of 233 votes in lower house.

​​​​​​​In the 465-member lower house of parliament, the LDP is down to 191 seats from 256, while Komeito lost eight seats, including that of its chief Keiichi Ishii, and fell to 24.

Observers believe the LDP's political funding scandal and Takaichi’s views on controversial temples linked to Japan’s wartime history were among the issues that Komeito did not agree with the new leader of the ruling party.

It remains to be seen whether the parliament is convened for voting to elect the successor of incumbent Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is heading a minority government.

However, reports have indicated that Takaichi has reached out to another opposition Democratic Party for the People for support during the premier election.

The Komeito party leader also said it “will not vote for LDP chief Takaichi for Japan prime minister,” Kyodo News reported.

Saito added that the collapse of the alliance was linked to the political funds scandal.