Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at the prime minister’s office on Dec. 27. (Takeshi Iwashita)

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he will strive to build the broadest consensus possible among political parties as he steers a fragile minority government into the new year.

In a New Year’s message released on Jan. 1, Ishiba said his resolution for 2025 was to “bring affluence and smiles to everyone.”

The governing coalition of his Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, Komeito, lacks a majority in the Lower House.

“We will sincerely and humbly try to form a consensus as broad as possible by actively listening to the views of other parties and to protect the security and safety of the people,” Ishiba said.

In an ordinary Diet session expected to convene in late January, the primary challenge for the coalition will be winning support from opposition parties for the government’s budget proposal for fiscal 2025, which begins in April.

Ishiba listed three policy priorities: diplomacy and national security; regional revitalization; and public safety and disaster management.

The prime minister touched on the severe international situation, as exemplified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and North Korea’s repeated missile launches.

He said he is determined to protect Japan’s national interests and cited foreign policy and national defense as two inseparable means to achieve that objective.

Reinvigorating provincial areas is Ishiba’s signature policy.

He said he will rectify overconcentration of population and industry in Tokyo and build a Japan where attractive rural and urban areas are connected with each other and the people can realize diverse ways of happiness.

He added that he will establish a social security system that can provide a sense of security toward the future.

Ishiba, who plans to create a Disaster Management Agency in fiscal 2026, said he will prepare the nation to the maximum degree possible against disasters that could strike at any time.

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