Takaichi-Led LDP Seen Leaning toward Coalition Talks with DPFP

Tokyo, Oct. 6 (Jiji Press)–With the inauguration of Sanae Takaichi as president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the LDP is likely to shift its focus in coalition talks from the opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) to the Democratic Party for the People, another opposition group. Takaichi, who is expected to be named prime minister following her victory in the LDP’s presidential election Saturday, and the DPFP have a strong policy affinity. In addition, LDP supreme adviser Taro Aso, believed to be a key backer of Takaichi, has long sought to form a coalition between the current ruling LDP-Komeito bloc and the DPFP. Still, the hurdles for a three-way coalition involving the DPFP are by no means low, and the outlook remains uncertain. Asked which political party she would prefer to enter coalition talks with, at a press conference Saturday, Takaichi said, “I won’t say which party at this point.” A source close to her said, however, “It’s the DPFP first.” On a television program Sunday, Nippon Ishin co-leader Fumitake Fujita described his relationship with Takaichi as “not very close.” By contrast, DPFP acting leader Motohisa Furukawa said on the same program that the economic policies proposed by his party and Takaichi aligned “very closely.” Before the LDP presidential election, party executives had envisioned a scenario for a coalition among the LDP, Komeito, and Nippon Ishin under Shinjiro Koizumi, the eventual runner-up in the LDP leadership race, maintaining behind-the-scenes contact with Nippon Ishin officials. In late August, Koizumi and Nippon Ishin leader Hirofumi Yoshimura visited the venue for the World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan, together to showcase their friendly partnership. While momentum for an LDP-Komeito-Nippon Ishin coalition is fading rapidly, the idea of establishing an LDP-Komeito-DPFP coalition is gaining traction. Takaichi has long been viewed as more aligned with the DPFP, which shares her aggressive fiscal policy, than with Nippon Ishin. In addition, Aso has been pursuing an LDP-Komeito-DPFP coalition since the administration of former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. On Monday, Aso held talks with DPFP Secretary-General Kazuya Shinba, according to informed sources. They are believed to have exchanged views over potential cooperation following the inauguration of Takaichi as LDP president, the sources said. Speculation has spread rapidly that the DPFP is the favored choice for expanding the ruling bloc, as Aso supported Takaichi in the presidential election and is rumored set to be appointed the next LDP vice president. Komeito’s actions are also shaping the narrative. When Takaichi visited Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito on Saturday following her win in the LDP election, he opposed a “deputy capital” plan, proposed by Nippon Ishin to transfer some capital functions from Tokyo as a condition for joining a coalition government. Saito described the plan as “unacceptable.” A Komeito source said that if the coalition is expanded, the DPFP would be preferable to Nippon Ishin. The DPFP itself is also open to talks on a coalition. DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki told reporters in Sendai, northeastern Japan, on Sunday that he expects an agreement reached among the LDP, Komeito and the DPFP in December last year to raise the minimum taxable income threshold to be implemented. “If the agreement is implemented sincerely, the possibilities for cooperation and ways to realize them will increase based on the degree of trust that has been built,” Tamaki stated. Still, concerns persist among DPFP members that their party could be absorbed by the LDP. The Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, which supports the DPFP and the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, has expressed opposition to the DPFP joining the ruling coalition, arguing that it is absolutely unacceptable for the two parties to be divided between the ruling and opposition sides. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]