The LDP's new secretary general said Thursday his greatest task will be ensuring that the tripartite coalition remains in power by securing a majority in next summer's House of Councilors election.
Makoto Koga, who succeeded Hiromu Nonaka as the LDP's No. 2 man earlier this week, said in an interview at party headquarters that the triumvirate, which also includes New Komeito and the New Conservative Party, must together win at least 64 seats in the upcoming polls.
There are currently 252 Upper House seats, but due to a package of electoral reforms enacted in October, that number will be trimmed to 247 through the election.