Japanese opposition leader seeks ‘consensus’ to oust government

ISTANBUL

Emboldened by the breakup of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) coalition with the Komeito party, a Japanese opposition party leader on Tuesday sought “consensus” among opposition parties to oust the government, led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

“It will be essential for us to achieve consensus on basic policies," said Democratic Party for the People (DPP) leader Yuichiro Tamaki, addressing opposition parties, according to the Kyodo news agency.

DPFP is the second-largest opposition party in the Japanese parliament’s lower house, after the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ).

Tamaki’s call for generating consensus comes days after the LDP was left with 196 votes following the Komeito party’s exit from the ruling alliance, reducing their combined strength from a previous 221 votes.

A candidate needs the support of at least 233 lawmakers to win the premier election, which has been delayed since the ruling alliance collapsed — posing obstacles for newly elected LDP President Sanae Takaichi to become Japan’s first prime minister.

Tamaki said he may meet with CDP chief Yoshihiko Noda to explore cooperation among opposition forces for the upcoming premier election, urging the main opposition party to "shift to more realistic policies on national security” and on energy issues, including nuclear power plants.

Noda, a former prime minister, previously indicated support for Tamaki as a unified opposition candidate in the premier election.

Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura has also indicated readiness to discuss a three-way collaboration.

The ruling LDP is reportedly making arrangements for the parliamentary vote to elect next prime minister on Oct. 21.

If the opposition bloc secures a win for their joint candidate, the LDP would be ousted from power, first time since 2012.