Takaichi Vows to Seek Coalition Expansion Soon

Tokyo, Sept. 23 (Jiji Press)–Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday that, if she wins the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s upcoming leadership election, she would seek to expand the ruling coalition before the parliamentary vote to select the next prime minister. “I’ll make my utmost effort” to realize an expanded ruling bloc, Takaichi said at a joint press conference with her four fellow candidates in the party election, indicating her readiness to promptly hold talks with opposition parties. “Without a stable political situation, we can’t address tough challenges,” she added. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and former LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi also expressed their willingness to expand the ruling bloc. “I’ll aim to expand the coalition with parties that share our basic policies,” Motegi reiterated. Hayashi said that expanding the coalition is “the right direction in terms of building a stable administration.” Meanwhile, former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi stressed that forming a coalition “should be a means, not an end.” “We’ll see what’s ahead once agreements on policies and ideologies come in sight,” said agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Also at the press conference, held at the LDP headquarters, all five candidates sounded cautious about introducing a dual surname system for married couples soon. “I take a cautious stance,” said Kobayashi. “The solution is to first promote the expanded use of maiden names,” he added. Motegi noted that the party is divided over the issue, and said, “It’s important to build consensus through discussions, not rush to a conclusion.” Hayashi stressed that the option of expanding the use of maiden names has the most public support. Takaichi said the party should spend “as much time as possible” discussing the issue. Koizumi, who was positive about a dual surname system when he ran in last year’s LDP presidential election, also indicated that he would not rush to a conclusion. “Further efforts are needed to build consensus between the ruling and opposition camps,” he said. Regarding opposition calls for a consumption tax cut, Koizumi said, “I won’t exclude any options, and will face the issue with the ruling and opposition camps.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]