Lower House lawmaker Junya Ogawa was elected leader of the Centrist Reform Alliance on Friday, pledging to strengthen the CRA’s internal structure as the party, founded by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, reels from a devastating defeat in Sunday’s Lower House election.
In the leadership race, Ogawa faced Lower House lawmaker Takeshi Shina — both among the seven former CDP lawmakers who won single-seat districts — and prevailed by five votes, having secured a total of 27. Ogawa will serve as CRA leader until March next year.
“I am determined to devote my entire body and soul to taking on this extremely solemn and demanding responsibility and to press forward with it,” Ogawa said at a news conference after the CRA leadership race.
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