In a move heralding the formation of a tripartite coalition, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and New Komeito leader Takenori Kanzaki are expected to hold talks before the second opposition party's July 24 convention.
Obuchi, who heads the Liberal Democratic Party, hopes to meet with Kanzaki ahead of New Komeito's party convention, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka told a Friday news conference.
Later in the day, New Komeito Secretary General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba told reporters that his party is ready to enter policy talks with the LDP, provided the LDP formally asks New Komeito to join its coalition with the Liberal Party.