Voters in Japan rejected the ruling coalition by a landslide, many sources are reporting. According to the Japan Times:
The LDP's junior coalition partner, New Komeito, backed by Soka Gakkai, the country's largest lay Buddhist organization, also had a rough night with various key members struggling in their electoral districts, including its leader, Akihiro Ota, who lost.
Voters perceive New Komeito, allied will the LDP, as a party of the status quo, not an agent of change or progress in Japan. In the wake of this defeat, the coalition between New Komeito and the LDP will be dissolved.
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I've tried to follow the exploits of the Old and New Komeito from the beginning and always wondered why the SGI was so intently engaged in politices. The explanation that they were so involved was to prevent a return to the nationalistic insantiy that led to WWII and the horrors that ensued. I never believed that logic.Although there's a part of me that cheers for Buddhist victory, there's something creepy about mixing religion in politics then disguising it as civic duty. If the SGI is really a cult or rather an organization that has skewered Nichiren's sacred teachings to advance the philosopy of the illustrious master, this substantial setback could signal the first domino falling that will lead to the master's ultimate undoiing. But who am I to judge or say as this group has so much wealth and power and the brain-trust so enormous as to dwarf a palty intellect such as mine.If I were a betting man, I would lay odd that this is the beginning of the beginning of the end of the end. The master plan may be coming undone and as Buddhism foretells, in that end, the truth, once obscured becomes known.