Oct. 20 (UPI) — Sanae Takaichi likely will become Japan’s first female prime minister, thanks to a coalition between her party, the Liberal Democratic Party, and the right-wing Japan Innovation Party.
The two parties met Monday evening in Tokyo and signed the coalition agreement, the Japan Times reported.
Takaichi is the president of the LDP. The JIP likes her strong stance on China and pushes for immigration restrictions.
“I’m very much looking forward to working with you on efforts to make Japan’s economy stronger and to reshape Japan as a country that can be responsible for future generations,” Takaichi told JIP co-leader Hirofumi Yoshimura while signing the deal.
“We share fundamental values,” said JIP leader and Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura. “We want our kids to think, ‘I’m happy to have been born in Japan.'”
Takaichi has been working to become prime minister since she was elected the leader of the LDP earlier this month. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned in early September.
But party partner Komeito left the coalition, and other parties tried to coalesce to secure the prime ministership. Komeito opposed Takaichi’s hawkish security plans. It’s affiliated with Soka Gakkai, a Buddhist sect.
The LDP and JIP signed a seven-page agreement. It said the coalition plans to cut 10% of the Lower House lawmakers. It also wants to abolish the provisional tax on gasoline. The parties want to make Osaka a secondary capital.
The vote in parliament will happen Tuesday. The next prime minister will be Japan’s fifth in five years.