INTERVIEW: DPFP Negative about Joining LDP-Led Coalition for Now

Tokyo, Oct. 9 (Jiji Press)–The condition for the Democratic Party for the People to join the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito ruling coalition is the fulfillment of agreements between the three parties, including the abolition of a provisional gasoline tax rate, DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki said in an interview with Jiji press on Thursday. Tamaki virtually ruled out the possibility of his party joining the coalition at the start of an extraordinary session of the Diet. He also rejected the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s proposal to nominate a unified opposition candidate for prime minister, saying that such a move would “betray the people’s expectations.” “Trust won’t be built (between his party and the coalition) unless we see the realization” of the tax abolition and the raising of the 1.03-million-yen threshold for paying income tax, Tamaki said. “Implementing them is the major premise” for his party to join the coalition, he added. “We would have various possibilities after building trust,” Tamaki also said. But he added, “Our agreements have not been fulfilled.” He indicated that his party will closely watch the LDP’s moves. As talks between the LDP and Komeito to maintain the coalition are facing difficulties, the start of the extraordinary Diet session is expected to be delayed. Tamaki criticized this, arguing that the enactment of a bill to abolish the gasoline tax rate and a fiscal 2025 supplementary budget will be delayed as well. “In that case, our agreements would not be implemented, so we couldn’t cooperate,” he said. Tamaki said that, if the LDP-Komeito talks are prolonged, the administration of outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba should convene the extraordinary Diet session to pass gasoline tax abolition and other bills. The DPFP chief noted that his party would not form a coalition with the LDP if it lacks Komeito. “It would be nonsense,” he said. “Why should we take the place of Komeito and run a minority government?” Regarding the CDP’s call on opposition colleagues to unite behind a single prime minister candidate, possibly Tamaki, he said, “Such a move without agreements on basic policies, such as national security, energy policy and constitutional reform, would betray the people’s expectations.” “Without basic agreements, we can’t take the next step unless the CDP splits or dissolves,” Tamaki said. As for the political outlook, Tamaki said: “If Komeito leaves the coalition and opposition parties don’t cooperate with the LDP, no bills would be enacted. A no-confidence motion may be submitted against the cabinet.” “If the three-party agreements aren’t implemented, momentum for a no-confidence motion could quickly build,” he added. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]