Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Japan Innovation Party (JIP) have formalised a coalition deal, paving the way for LDP leader Sanae Takaichi to become the country’s first female prime minister. The agreement was made official during a meeting at the Diet between LDP leader Sanae Takaichi and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura yesterday evening. The two parties pledged to cooperate on a broad range of policy areas, including economic and fiscal reform, foreign affairs, national security, and energy.

 

 

The coalition comes at a critical time, as lawmakers are set to vote for a new prime minister today. While the LDP remains the largest party in the Diet, it lost its majority earlier this month when its junior partner, Komeito, abruptly exited the coalition, just days after Sanae Takaichi assumed party leadership.

 

 

The new partnership with the JIP brings the LDP closer to securing the numbers needed to form a stable government. If elected, Takaichi would become Japan’s first female prime minister.