Japan ruling bloc, small opposition party reach deal to pass budget

Japan's ruling coalition and a small opposition party on Tuesday formally agreed on measures to ensure free high school education and advance social security reforms, clearing a major hurdle for enacting the state budget for the next fiscal year.The agreement marks the culmination of efforts by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito party to win over the Japan Innovation Party, which has hinted at supporting the government's budget plan if its requests are met.Seeking to bolster its support base beyond the Kansai region centered on Osaka, the JIP has called for…READ FULL ARTICLE