[6] The merger was the result of fears that a new electoral system would make it more difficult for small parties to gain representation.
[6] Although it initially had 78 MPs,[7] a group of 15 led by Heima Hayashi left to join the Democratic Party.
It joined Tetsu Katayama's coalition government and was given two cabinet positions; party chairman Takeo Miki was appointed Minister of Communications and Junzo Sasamori Minister in charge of the Demobilisation Agency.
[6] When Hitoshi Ashida formed a new government in 1948, the NCP remained in the coalition, with Okada Seiichi and Funada Kyōji appointed to the cabinet.
[6] In early 1948 three MPs left to form the Social Reformist Party, and the party left the government when Ashida resigned later in the year.