Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi has been re-elected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party by warding off the challenge from former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato and former LDP policy chief Taku Yamasaki. Many LDP Diet members have been quick to see his impressive victory as a vote of confidence for Mr. Obuchi, an endorsement of his policy of drawing New Komeito into the present LDP-Liberal Party coalition, which was the key issue during the LDP presidential race.

During the leadership campaign, both Mr. Kato and Mr. Yamasaki expressed strong reservations about the wisdom of having New Komeito inside the Cabinet. Mr. Obuchi, however, insisted that the addition of New Komeito would boost the government's strength in the Diet and ensure greater "political stability." Beyond that, he has said very little on how a three-party coalition would change the political landscape and what exactly he wants to do with the added parliamentary strength from New Komeito. He appears to have deliberately ignored the principle that agreement on basic policy matters is a prerequisite for any political marriage.

Mr. Obuchi has argued that a policy agreement of sorts has already been established with New Komeito, pointing to support on important bills the government received from them during the past Diet session. It appears that Mr. Obuchi is willing, and even eager, to launch a coalition government without reaching a comprehensive policy accord among the three coalition partners. However, Mr. Obuchi should acknowledge that the three-party coalition is not endorsed by LDP members as overwhelmingly by the same large margin as his victory in the presidential race.