Fresh from his diplomatic mission to China, we were delighted to host this month Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of the New Komeito Party, who spoke to us about his party’s role in the new coalition government. Despite Komeito and the LDP having separate priorities, they have learned to manage their differences, showing a degree of practical cooperation all too rare in Japan’s politics. But how is that done, and as Komeito returns to the position of junior partner in an LDP-led administration, where do Mr Yamaguchi and his colleagues particularly wish to exert their influence to shape government policy? Uur guests benefited from an interesting discussion with Mr Yamaguchi on these intriguing questions.