On February 16, the Chudo Reform Union confirmed its candidate for the next Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, selecting Kenta Izumi, a former leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party. Izumi, who has been elected ten times as a representative from Kyoto's 3rd district, is expected to be officially elected during the special Diet session on February 18. His selection comes amidst the backdrop of mixed results for the Chudo faction in the recent elections, where several senior members suffered defeats while Izumi remained successful in his electoral campaign.

In the recent House of Representatives election held on February 8, despite the challenges facing the Chudo Reform Union, Izumi managed to secure his seat in a single-member district, which highlights his political resilience. Although he was seen as a strong candidate in the leadership competition on February 13, he chose to refrain from running, citing that the timing was not right for him. This decision reflects the ongoing shifts within Japanese politics, particularly regarding the younger generation taking leadership roles and the increased emphasis on gender representation in governance.

Izumi's election as Deputy Speaker comes at a critical time for the Chudo Reform Union as they strategize their approach against the ruling party led by Prime Minister Takaichi. With their recent electoral setbacks, the party faces the task of redefining its strategy to effectively challenge the dominant power in Japanese politics while addressing internal dynamics such as generational change and representation issues. The upcoming special session will be an important moment for the party and its new leadership structure to assert itself in a competitive political landscape.