The opposition Democratic Party for the People (DPP) said Sunday that it sees the need to change its strategy after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party¡¯s?huge election victory in February.

¡°We can no longer take the approach of negotiating with a minority ruling party to realize policies,¡± the DPP said in its 2026 activity policy adopted at a regular party convention in Tokyo.

The party set a ¡°must-achieve¡± target of doubling the number of local assembly members to 700 in preparation for unified local elections in spring 2027.

¡°We¡¯ll double the number of local assembly members, win the 2028 House of Councilors election and enhance the party¡¯s bargaining power,¡± party leader Yuichiro Tamaki said in a speech.

¡°Now that (Prime Minister Sanae) Takaichi¡¯s administration has won a sweeping victory in the House of Representatives election, we¡¯re honestly having a tough time,¡± he said, stressing the need to strengthen the party¡¯s foundation.

At a news conference after the convention, Tamaki discussed his party¡¯s approach to the Takaichi administration, stating, ¡°We¡¯ll cooperate beyond the boundary of ruling and opposition parties where we can to realize policies.¡±

He also expressed a desire to expand the party¡¯s presence while gaining further trust from the public and to eventually take part in the national government as a ruling party.

While Takaichi¡¯s LDP won a two-thirds majority in the all-important Lower House in the February election, the DPP added only one seat to its preelection strength of 27 seats.

Before the general election, the DPP produced some policy achievements, such as raising the income tax threshold. But its influence has diminished due to the emergence of a dominant ruling party.

When the DPP demanded a revision to the fiscal 2026 regular draft budget, the administration showed no sign of accepting the request.

At the convention, the party?reviewed its platform and policies, five years after it was established in its current form. It will set up a team which includes young lawmakers to conduct a full review by year-end, the activity policy said.