Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae / We aim to establish a multiparty national conference as soon as possible. If we can secure the cooperation of the opposition parties, we hope to have the conference produce an interim report by this summer at the latest.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae made the remarks on February 9, after her ruling Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in the Lower House Election that took place on February 8.

Takaichi, who’s pushed to eliminate consumption tax on food and beverages for two years, stressed that the national conference would advance discussions on the schedule and funding sources.

She also said that she wants to convene a special Diet session to deliberate the delayed budget bill for FY 2026.

Furthermore, Takaichi expressed her interest in expanding the coalition with the Democratic Party For the People, saying that the LDP and DPP had strong compatibilities in policies. 

Takaichi met with Japan Innovation Party leader Yoshimura Hirofumi on February 9 as well, where the two agreed to strengthen the coalition and pursue policies outlined in the coalition agreement. 

Yoshimura said that there was no request from Takaichi to appoint JIP members as ministers, but said that he would like to consider it positively if there were to be a discussion.