Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) have reached a broad agreement to form a coalition government, paving the way for Sanae Takaichi to become Japan’s first female prime minister, Kyodo News reported on Sunday.
According to Kyodo, Takaichi, leader of the conservative LDP, and Hirofumi Yoshimura, head of the right-leaning Ishin party, will sign the coalition agreement on Monday. The move comes after weeks of political uncertainty following Komeito’s withdrawal from its 26-year alliance with the LDP earlier this month.
Ishin’s co-leader Fumitake Fujita said significant progress had been made in coalition negotiations and confirmed that the talks were in their final stages. He added that he and Yoshimura had been authorised to make the final decision for the party, which would be announced on Monday.
Under the agreement, Ishin lawmakers will vote for Takaichi in Tuesday’s parliamentary election for prime minister but are not expected to take cabinet posts immediately. This arrangement stops short of a full-scale alliance but is intended to provide political stability to Takaichi’s new administration.
Takaichi’s rise follows her recent victory in the LDP leadership race, succeeding outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Known for her conservative and nationalist views, Takaichi supports amending Japan’s pacifist constitution to formally recognise its military. She is also known for visiting the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which has drawn criticism from neighbouring countries.
In an effort to secure Ishin’s cooperation, the LDP has agreed to discuss policies such as banning corporate and organisational political donations and exempting food items from Japan’s sales tax—proposals long supported by Ishin.
Takaichi has advocated increased government spending and tax cuts to ease inflation pressures on consumers and criticised the Bank of Japan’s recent interest rate hikes. Her coalition with Ishin signals a new phase in Japan’s political landscape, blending fiscal leniency with assertive nationalism.
