Overview

• LDP leader Sanae Takaiichi and Ishin leader Hirofumi Yoshimura signed a coalition agreement at the Diet on Oct. 20, with Ishin providing support without entering the cabinet and a proposal floated to name Ishin’s Takashi Endo as a prime minister’s adviser.
• The agreement targets about a 10% cut to Lower House seats via a member bill to be submitted in the current extraordinary session, alongside creation of a joint forum on electoral reform.
• Policy plans include passing a bill this session to abolish the gasoline surtax and pursuing legislation next year to establish a “vice capital,” with details to be developed by a project team.
• Food purchases could be set to a zero consumption tax for up to two years subject to further study, while the handling of corporate and group donations is deferred to a decision during Takaiichi’s term.
• Both parties will set up a drafting council on constitutional revisions including Article 9, the LDP–Ishin alignment brings the Lower House close to a majority though the Upper House remains short, and reactions range from Komeito’s sharp objections to mixed voter views in regions such as Kyushu.