LDP, Nippon Ishin to Hold Policy Talks for Possible Coalition

Tokyo, Oct. 15 (Jiji Press)–Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) chief Hirofumi Yoshimura met in Tokyo on Wednesday and agreed to hold policy talks between the two parties, with a view to forming a coalition. The LDP and Nippon Ishin will hold the first such talks on Thursday. This comes after the LDP’s longtime coalition partner, Komeito, announced its decision to dissolve their 26-year partnership. At Wednesday’s meeting, Takaichi called for Nippon Ishin’s cooperation in a parliamentary vote to pick the next prime minister at the upcoming extraordinary Diet session. Yoshimura, also governor of Osaka Prefecture, pushed for realizing his party’s “second capital” vision and social security reform. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Takaichi stressed that the basic policies of her party and Nippon Ishin are “almost the same.” Yoshimura clarified that his party would vote for Takaichi in the prime minister election if the two parties reach a policy accord. On the same day, Takaichi also held separate talks with Democratic Party for the People chief Yuichiro Tamaki and Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan head Yoshihiko Noda. During her meeting with Tamaki, Takaichi urged the DPFP to vote for her in the prime minister election. With a possible future tie-up with the DPFP in mind, Takaichi said, “I’d like us to shoulder the responsibility together in order to bring many proposals into reality during the extraordinary Diet session.” She also suggested launching talks on raising the country’s taxable income threshold, a DPFP proposal. Tamaki, however, voiced reluctance to cooperate with the LDP in the prime minister election as of this moment, saying, “We should first build a relationship of trust, rather than immediately discussing a coalition.” Meanwhile, Takaichi and Noda agreed to work together to abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate and introduce a refundable tax credit program. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]