"Takaichi Expresses Intent to Expand Coalition with Third-Largest Opposition Party in Japan... Outcome Remains Uncertain"

The Mainichi Shimbun reported on October 6 that Sanae Takaichi, the newly appointed president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, will first enter discussions with the Democratic Party for the People, the third-largest opposition party, to expand the coalition government.

The newspaper stated that on October 4, a close aide to President Takaichi expressed the intention to begin talks with the Democratic Party for the People as soon as possible.

On the same day, Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, told reporters that "the Takaichi side made remarks indicating respect for our positions," and regarding coalition expansion talks, said, "If there is a request, we will meet."

Within and outside the Liberal Democratic Party, when Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, was considered the leading candidate in the party's presidential election, the Japan Innovation Party, the second-largest opposition party with strong ties to Koizumi, was seen as the primary candidate for coalition expansion.

However, once Takaichi was elected president, the atmosphere changed. President Takaichi has no particular connection with the Japan Innovation Party, and the current coalition partner, Komeito, which has competed in parliamentary elections in Osaka, is also unlikely to support such an expansion.

Tetsuo Saito, leader of the centrist-conservative Komeito, met with President Takaichi on the night of October 4 and pointed out issues such as visits to Yasukuni Shrine-which could provoke opposition from countries like South Korea and China-saying, "There is significant anxiety and concern among our party's supporters," and warned, "Unless these concerns are resolved, there will be no coalition government."

In response, President Takaichi stated, "I will ensure there is no cause for concern," expressing her intention to continue discussions with Komeito.

Lawmaker Sanae Takaichi Visits Yasukuni Shrine

(Tokyo=Yonhap News) Special Correspondent Sanghyun Park = On August 15, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat, ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Sanae Takaichi visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine and responded to questions from the press. The Yasukuni Shrine enshrines Class A war criminals from the Pacific War. August 15, 2025

Photo by Sanghyun Park

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Another reason the Democratic Party for the People has emerged as the top candidate for coalition expansion is the reported personal relationship between its leader, Tamaki, and former Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Former Prime Minister Aso played the role of "kingmaker" in the recent Liberal Democratic Party presidential runoff by effectively instructing lawmakers in his faction to support President Takaichi.

The Asahi Shimbun reported, "With President Takaichi's victory, the Democratic Party for the People has become the leading candidate for coalition expansion," and added, "Back in 2022, during the Fumio Kishida administration, then Vice Prime Minister Taro Aso and Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi led behind-the-scenes negotiations with the Democratic Party for the People to expand the coalition."

However, the Democratic Party for the People remains cautious about joining the coalition, making an early agreement unlikely.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, leader Tamaki told reporters the previous day, "The framework of the government must be approached carefully. Even in Europe, such negotiations take several months."

As a result, it remains uncertain whether an agreement on coalition expansion will be reached before the launch of the new cabinet, and the situation may require cooperation on a policy-by-policy basis, similar to the Shigeru Ishiba cabinet.