After the Liberal Democratic Party’s massive defeat in Sunday’s House of Representatives election, which left the LDP and its junior coalition partner Komeito in a minority, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba intends to ask the Democratic Party for the People, the opposition party, to join a “partial coalition,” seeking the party’s support on a policy-by-policy basis.

Together with the DPFP, Ishiba, who is also president of the LDP, wants to rebuild his administration by putting economic measures into action and passing legislation.

Executives from the LDP say that Ishiba plans to implement measures to help households, like lowering the cost of utilities, which has been a goal of DPFP head Yuichiro Tamaki. Ishiba, with support from the DPFP, hopes to pass a supplemental budget plan for fiscal 2024 in this manner during an extraordinary Diet session.

Ishiba stated, “Regardless of what party they come from, I want to include good measures” regarding the economic measures that will be compiled in November or later and the supplementary budget plan that will fund the measures.

A vote will be held during a special Diet session to select the prime minister. If the ruling bloc does not receive a majority of votes, a runoff will be held between the top two candidates for the position. Ishiba is also thinking about asking Tamaki to help him win a new term.

Tamaki stated at a press conference on Tuesday, “I can’t comment because I haven’t heard anything from the LDP.” He continued, “[ The government’s structure and the posts in the cabinet are irrelevant. The existence of economic policies to boost income after taxes is crucial.

In the meantime, Komeito chief Keiichi Ishii, who lost his race in Saitama Constituency No. 14 declared on Monday that he will step down as party leader. “If you are not a lawmaker, it is difficult to continue as chief,” he stated at a press conference held at the party headquarters.