The National Democratic Party (NDP) of Japan is proceeding with caution about potential coalition alliances. The party leadership is entangled in internal conversations, trying to gauge the benefits and detractors of aligning their policies with a larger governing body. While no concrete decisions have been made, the deliberations underscore the NDP's focus on maintaining party integrity over quick power gains.
In Japan, coalition governments are commonplace and are seen as mechanisms to build consensus across broad policy areas. Parties will often align themselves with larger organizations to influence specific legislation and budget allocations. In this specific case, the NDP’s cautionary stance suggests a deep concern for their political identity and their commitment to representing their voters' interests.
Unlike Japan, where coalition governments are more common, the U.S. primarily maintains a two-party political system with the occasional independent candidate. The EU, however, mirrors Japan's norm in many aspects, as multiparty coalitions are frequent at both national and European Parliament levels. The emphasis on maintaining political identity while navigating alliances is, thus, a common concern faced by parties across the globe.