Japan PM Ishiba Rules Out Forming Grand Coalition For Now

ISE (Japan), Jan 6 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday ruled out the possibility of forming a grand coalition with opposition parties for now, saying that he will do his utmost to seek broad support from the opposition camp as head of a minority government.

Kyodo News Agency reported that in his first press conference this year to lay out his government's priorities, Ishiba touched on the need to reform the country's election system to "better reflect" the voices of voters, calling for a cross-party debate on the issue.

His remarks, which followed his visit to the Ise shrine in the central Japanese prefecture of Mie, came ahead of a regular Diet session that is set to start late January. Some lawmakers speculate that he could choose to hold simultaneous elections for both houses of parliament this year.

"I have no intention of creating a grand coalition for now," Ishiba said at the press conference.

Given the need to rely on support from opposition parties to ensure smooth Diet deliberations, Ishiba said he will try to seek their understanding "with my heart and soul."

"This is the only way for us," said Ishiba, who also heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The LDP and the Komeito party lost their majority control of the House of Representatives, the powerful lower house, in an election last October, shortly after Ishiba took office. An election for the House of Councillors, the upper house, must be held this summer.

Yoshihiko Noda, who leads the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, has dismissed the idea of joining the coalition.

The upcoming parliamentary session will likely see intensified debate over donations from companies and other entities, a sensitive issue after a slush funds scandal hit the LDP. The opposition parties are calling for a ban.

This year, Ishiba said he will focus on fundamentally transforming Japan by rejuvenating regional areas and revving up the world's fourth-largest economy while addressing diplomatic and security challenges.

During the press conference, Ishiba expressed his intention to meet with Donald Trump, who is set to become United States (US) president on Jan 20, "at the most appropriate time and in the appropriate form" without specifying when it may be.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO