The Liberal Democratic Party leadership on Tuesday gained approval from its prefectural chapters to ally with New Komeito, taking another step toward the realization of a tripartite coalition.
The approval was made during a meeting of secretaries general of the party's prefectural chapters, party officials said.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, president of the LDP, reiterated his readiness to talk with New Komeito leader Takenori Kanzaki and make a formal overture to the second-largest opposition party.
Obuchi said the current LDP-Liberal Party coalition government has managed to get many important bills approved by the Diet so far by enlisting the support of New Komeito. The ruling bloc lacks a majority in the Upper House.
"If we can establish a more stable government by sharing common policies and the responsibility of governing with New Komeito, we would be able to respond better to the expectations of the Japanese people," Obuchi told the meeting.
"I hope (you) secretaries general of the prefectural chapters will understand the significance of this alliance and allow us to create a government that can fully accomplish our duties for this country," he said.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kanezo Muraoka, deputy secretary general of the LDP, acknowledged that some participants had more carefully stated opinions on creating a tripartite coalition.
But he said, "It is my understanding that the party leadership's plan was approved through the meeting."
Tuesday's meeting is part of the LDP leadership's recent attempts to establish a coalition government with New Komeito.