Japan Press Weekly

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2008 January 23 - 29 [POLITICS]

LDP and DPJ may still dream about forming coalition

Although confrontations between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and opposition Democratic Party are attracting media attention, representatives of these parties who took the rostrum in the plenary sessions in both Houses hinted that the two parties are still considering forming the so-called “grand coalition.”

LDP Secretary General Ibuki Bunmei stated that he has heard that Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo and DPJ President Ozawa Ichiro in their face-to-face meeting last fall spoke about and actually agreed that the DPJ will be represented in the cabinet in order to cooperate with the ruling bloc.

Ibuki stated, “In developed countries, it is common for ruling parties to cooperate with opposition parties by holding consultations, soliciting their cooperation from outside the cabinet, or forming a grand coalition cabinet. We would like to request opposition parties to have policy consultations with us in various ways.”

DPJ Acting President Koshiishi Azuma, on the other hand, said, “We are not in a position to oppose everything the government and ruling parties would say and to submit a motion to censure the prime minister. We will compromise in revising bills as far as we can.”

Prime Minister Fukuda responded, “This is very encouraging. I will carry out responsible policies by positively adopting opposition parties’ proposals.”