Mitsunari Okamoto has been appointed as the new Komeito representative, replacing Toshiko Takeya.

At its central secretariat meeting on the 30th, the New Komeito Party informally decided to appoint Mitsunari Okamoto (61), former chairman of the Policy Research Council, from the House of Representatives proportional representation Tokyo bloc, as its new representative. He will succeed Representative Toshiko Takeya (57), whose term will expire at the regular party convention on October 3. Okamoto will be officially inaugurated at the party convention and will launch a new executive committee.

Komei hopes to revamp its system and promote a fresh start in light of the return of members of the House of Representatives to the party due to the dissolution of the Centrist Reform Coalition. The party is urgently rebuilding itself in preparation for the extraordinary Diet session to be convened on October 5th and the unified local elections to be held next spring. Regarding the appointment of secretary general, there are voices calling for the continued appointment of Minoru Nishida (64) and support for former Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Hiromasa Nakano (48).

Former representative Tetsuo Saito recommended Mr. Okamoto as the new representative at the central executive committee meeting. Mr. Saito mentioned that Mr. Okamoto served as the chairman of the Policy Research Council for centrist reform, and explained that he is ``the most suitable representative of Komeito, who will be the pillar of realizing centrist politics.'' He also cited his high ability to communicate as a reason.

Afterward, Mr. Okamoto responded to an interview with reporters inside the Diet and emphasized, ``I will move forward with all my might in efforts to create a new party.'' Regarding cooperation with other parties, including members of the Liberal Democratic Party, he said, ``It would be good if we could cooperate in policy making with people who share the same values.'' Regarding the possibility of returning to a coalition government with the Liberal Democratic Party, he denied that there was "no option at all for that to happen again."