Japan's ruling, opposition party begin coalition talks

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the opposition Japan Innovation Party (JIP) began coalition talks Thursday as they confirmed common ground in their key policy stances.

The parties confirmed similar views on issues such as constitutional amendment, diplomacy, security, and energy, said LDP policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi after accompanying the party's new leader, Sanae Takaichi, to a meeting with their JIP counterparts, according to the Kyodo News.

The LDP's coalition partner, Komeito, had announced its withdrawal from the government alliance on Friday, leaving the ruling party short of a parliamentary majority, shortly after Takaichi's, the first woman to lead the party, victory.

The two parties will continue to discuss the two matters that they disagree over, according to the co-leader of JIP, Fumitake Fujita. "Our relationship of trust has been deepened," he added.

Fujita said that JIP asked the LDP to realize 12 policy goals it considers priorities, such as temporary suspension of consumption tax on food and banning political donations by businesses and organizations, which the LDP was hesitant about.

Takaichi, in turn, asked for cooperation in voting in the upcoming election and joining a new Cabinet.

Japan will elect its new prime minister next week.

Another opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, is also seeking the JIP's support for a single unified opposition prime minister candidate.

Earlier, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki expressed disappointment over JIP's step towards forming a coalition with the LDP, according to the Mainichi newspaper.