Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at his New Year’s news conference in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on Jan. 6. (Shigetaka Kodama)

ISE, Mie Prefecture—Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba denied the possibility of seeking a multiparty coalition after opposition leaders rejected his suggestion for such an alliance.

“I am not thinking about a grand coalition at the moment,” Ishiba told a New Year’s news conference here on Jan. 6 following his visit to Ise Jingu shrine.

Ishiba, who leads a minority government, had said on a radio program broadcast on Jan. 1 that a grand coalition of ruling and opposition parties is an “option.”

But the prime minister toned down his remarks after opposition leaders ruled out joining the government.

“I said a grand coalition is a possibility,” Ishiba said at the news conference. “It will be meaningless unless the purpose (of forming it) becomes clear.”

The governing coalition of Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito lost its majority in the Oct. 27 Lower House election.

“We are in no situation to form a grand coalition,” Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, told reporters in Tokyo earlier on Jan. 6. “Our objective should be forcing the LDP out of office and creating a new current in politics.”

On the topic of political reform, Ishiba said he will seek a consensus on whether or not to ban political donations from companies and organizations before the current fiscal year ends in March.

He also said cross-party discussions on election systems are needed to more appropriately reflect the will of the people on politics.

Touching on his pet project of regional revitalization, Ishiba said he plans to relocate central government ministries and agencies outside the capital.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Jan. 3 decided to block Nippon Steel Corp.’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel, citing national security concerns.

“Japanese industry officials have raised concerns about  future investments,” Ishiba said. “I will urge the U.S. government to dispel those concerns.”

He said Washington should articulate why the deal poses concerns about U.S. national security in the first place.

Related News