Ishiba's LDP, smaller DPP debate econ steps, PM eyes minority gov't

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the smaller opposition Democratic Party for the People on Friday began discussions to find common ground over economic measures as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba eyes policy cooperation to manage his minority government.The LDP headed by Ishiba will explore an idea proposed by the DPP of raising the income threshold for tax payments, currently at 1.03 million yen ($6,700), to 1.78 million yen to boost disposable income.Friday's cross-party meeting was attended by the policy chiefs of each party -- Itsunori Onodera of the LDP and Makoto Hamaguchi of…READ FULL ARTICLE