The Liberal Democratic Party on Monday began moving aggressively to expand its coalition government to include New Komeito — and secure a majority in the Diet's Upper House.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka held talks with Ichiro Ozawa, who heads the coalition partner Liberal Party, at the Liberal Party's headquarters in an attempt to seek a consensus on expanding the ruling camp. Afterward, Ozawa appeared to set conditions to any expansion.
Later, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, who heads the LDP, told the LDP's executive meeting to launch formal discussions within the party to agree on forming a tripartite coalition.