Japan's Komeito party to exit coalition with the ruling LDP

Japan's Komeito party announced on Friday that it will quit the ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party, according to NHK.

The decision came after Tetsuo Saito, chief representative of Komeito, met with the new LDP President Sanae Takaichi and, according to Saito, the LDP failed to provide sufficient answers regarding political funding issues.

In a news conference, Saito said efforts to tackle politics and money are top priorities for Komeito and the government coalition will be scrapped for the time being.

The termination of the coalition will bring an end to a partnership that has lasted 26 years. It also came at a time when a vote for selecting a new prime minister is expected within weeks in the National Diet, Japan's parliament.