The ruling Liberal Democratic Party began full-scale debate Tuesday on a plan to expand its coalition government to include New Komeito — and secure a majority in the Upper House.

The move is in line with Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's formal announcement Monday of his desire to ask New Komeito to join the current LDP-Liberal Party coalition, following a meeting senior LDP officials had with Liberal Party leader Ichiro Ozawa.

During the LDP's General Council meeting Tuesday, Secretary General Yoshiro Mori called for cooperation to enable smooth negotiations over the proposed coalition.

The General Council basically gave its approval to the plan, although some members voiced caution and discouraged the suggested coalition with New Komeito, which is backed by Soka Gakkai, the nation's largest lay Buddhist organization.

Shozaburo Jimi, a senior LDP member, pointed out that New Komeito did not favor Obuchi becoming prime minister. But Mori stressed the need to follow Obuchi's decision on the coalition in order to stabilize the administration and more effectively carry out government policies.

On Monday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka and LDP Secretary General Yoshiro Mori met with Ozawa, seeking his party's approval of the coalition plan.

Speaking to reporters later in the day, Ozawa acknowledged his basic acceptance of the LDP's plan. But he indirectly suggested the Liberal Party will not participate in the negotiations with New Komeito until it confirms its policy agreement with the LDP. "I told the chief Cabinet secretary that we would like to wait for the end of the current Diet session and that we would first want to judge the LDP-Liberal Party coalition government before drawing a conclusion," he said.

Based on an agreement between the two parties prior to the launch of the coalition, the two partners have submitted a bill aimed at cutting 50 Lower House seats elected by proportional representation.

But it remains uncertain whether the bill will be debated during the current Diet session, since New Komeito vehemently opposes the idea.