Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has signed a coalition agreement with the opposition Libertarian Innovation party, a step that paves the way for right-wing Sanae Takaichi to become the country's new prime minister. This pact also marks the definitive break with the Komeito party, which had been its traditional minority ally for the past 25 years.
The leader of Innovation, Hirofumi Yoshimura, and Takaichi formalized the agreement on Monday after holding a key meeting with leaders from both political forces. Among the central points of the pact is a 10% reduction in the number of seats in the Diet, Japan's Parliament.
“We share the same vision as the LDP and our desire to strengthen Japan,” Yoshimura stated at a press conference, where he announced that the next government's priorities will be drafting a supplementary budget and eliminating subsidies for gas and electricity.
Sanae Takaichi y Hirofumi Yoshimura.
Both parties also agreed to eliminate the food consumption tax and ban donations from companies and organizations to political parties, according to public broadcaster NHK.
Takaichi assumed the leadership of the LDP after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned, leaving office amid strong internal criticism following his party's heavy electoral defeat in the Upper House elections held last July.
Sanae Takaichi y Hirofumi Yoshimura.
The Komeito party decided to end its historic alliance with the LDP after Takaichi's election, a hardline right-winger who defeated her main rival, Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and who is set to become the first woman to lead the Japanese government.
Currently, Innovation holds 19 seats in the Lower House of the Diet, Japan's Parliament, which would be added to the LDP's 100. Although the new conservative coalition doesn't have an absolute majority in the House, it is unlikely that opposition parties will be able to present a unified candidate capable of rivaling Takaichi.
