As Soka goes, so goes Japan? Maybe:

Now that Prime Minister Taro Aso has announced a date for the general election - August 30 - the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will be leaning more than ever on its coalition partner New Komeito to get out the Soka Gakkai vote. The Buddhist lay organization is known for its extensive and powerful get-out-the-vote machine, but will it be enough?

More in the Christian Science Monitor.