New Komeito leader Takenori Kanzaki on Monday formally told Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi of his party's willingness to join the coalition government.
"I told Prime Minister Obuchi that, given our party's approval at the extraordinary convention, if we can reach a policy agreement, we are ready to participate in the Cabinet to establish a coalition government" with Obuchi's Liberal Democratic Party and the Liberal Party, Kanzaki said after meeting with Obuchi.
New Komeito's extraordinary party convention Saturday gave its leadership the green light to join the ruling bloc so the party's policy can be better reflected within the government.