GYEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA ¨C Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has ruled out dissolving the Lower House for a snap general election, saying that she must first tackle a number of challenges the country is facing ¡ª including economic issues.
¡°It¡¯s important to first implement the policies promised (to the people), including economic measures,¡± Takaichi said during a news conference in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Saturday night, following the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum summit the same day.
The prime minister said her government will accelerate the rollout of economic measures, including steps to tackle inflation.
A plan to reduce the number of Lower House seats, part of a coalition agreement between Takaichi¡¯s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its new coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), is ¡°a matter that should be discussed by each party and parliamentary group,¡± she said, adding that she will ¡°engage in wide-ranging and sincere discussions.¡±
The JIP is also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai.
At her news conference, Takaichi also indicated that she will steadily implement the Japan-U.S. tariff agreement.
¡°A promise between governments should not be changed even if a prime minister is replaced,¡± she said.
Takaichi had mentioned during the recent LDP leadership election campaign the possibility of renegotiating the pact.
The prime minister said the leaders¡¯ declaration adopted at the APEC summit ¡°included many things that Japan considers important¡± and that the series of diplomatic events over the last week served to ¡°lay the foundation for promoting summit diplomacy.¡±
¡°I was able to steadily advance Japan¡¯s efforts to open new horizons in diplomacy,¡± she added.
Japan was selected to chair the APEC forum in 2031, she noted, vowing to make steady preparations.
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