TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday renewed her commitment to policies that were agreed between her party and its junior ally when they formed a coalition last year, including a bill to reduce the number of House of Representatives seats that they gave up trying to pass during the just-ended Diet session.
"I will press ahead toward the realization" of the ruling coalition deal between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, Takaichi told a press conference after the 158-day session ended Saturday.
The prime minister's remarks came even as some bills drawn up to implement the coalition agreement triggered criticism and questions from opposition parties, such as over introducing criminal penalties for desecrating the national flag, seen as part of her conservative drive, and creating a secondary capital, an idea strongly advocated by the Osaka-based JIP.
Amid a backlash, the ruling parties decided to give up on seeking the enactment of a law to cut 45 proportional representation seats in the lower chamber during the latest Diet session, instead prioritizing the passage of a bill to create a second capital as a backup for Tokyo in disasters and other emergencies as well as a law amendment aimed at sustaining the imperial system.
"Our relationship of trust will not waver," Takaichi told the press conference, expressing her appreciation to the JIP for agreeing to form a coalition.
The new coalition, which was created after the LDP parted ways with its long-term junior coalition ally, the Komeito party, paved the way for Takaichi, who heads the LDP, to become prime minister in October.
While they initially ran a minority government, the LDP scored a landslide victory in the February general election, securing more than two-thirds of seats in the powerful lower house alone. The ruling parties still remain a minority in the House of Councillors.
Asked about whether she plans a Cabinet reshuffle and a change in the LDP executive lineup, Takaichi said she has "nothing to say at this moment."
She also said she is "always thinking about the measures necessary for political stability" although refraining from commenting on whether there is a possibility for expanding the ruling coalition to include the opposition Democratic Party for the People.
