The LDP's new secretary general said Thursday his greatest task will be ensuring that the tripartite coalition remains in power by securing a majority in next summer's House of Councilors election.

Makoto Koga

Makoto Koga, who succeeded Hiromu Nonaka as the LDP's No. 2 man earlier this week, said in an interview at party headquarters that the triumvirate, which also includes New Komeito and the New Conservative Party, must together win at least 64 seats in the upcoming polls.

There are currently 252 Upper House seats, but due to a package of electoral reforms enacted in October, that number will be trimmed to 247 through the election.

Together with the coalition's 60 Upper House seats not be up for re-election, Koga said the ruling camp is hoping to eke out a slim majority of 124 seats.

Koga said that another major task facing him is to sew up the rift within his party that brought on a failed rebellion led by former secretary general Koichi Kato, who tried to oust Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori by supporting an opposition-proposed no-confidence motion last month.

"It will take some time for us to get the environment back in tune," he admitted.

Koga, who belongs to an LDP faction led by Kato, did not join Kato's rebellion and instead worked closely with the old guard, led by Nonaka.

Nevertheless, he stressed that despite the turmoil and the failed coup, his view that Kato is a "treasure" of Japanese politics will not change.

Koga's close ties with Nonaka were further highlighted when the party's famed back-room fixer named him as his successor to the key party position last week.

"Though the media say Mr. Nonaka might be controlling me, that will not change my attitude," Koga said. "I will go ask for his advice whenever I feel I need it."

He also flatly dismissed speculation that the LDP's next presidential election, in September, might be brought forward to the spring so that the unpopular Mori might be replaced before the crucial Upper House polls.

As for a contentious debate over whether to grant local suffrage to permanent foreign residents in Japan, Koga said only that a conclusion should be reached during the upcoming regular Diet session, which will convene in January.

Kamei backs ODA cut

Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Shizuka Kamei on Thursday reiterated his desire to reduce the amount of Japan's official development aid to developing nations, claiming that some recipients are using the money to build up their military.

"There are countries that are using the money to beef up their military capabilities, conducting H-bomb tests," maintained Kamei, apparently referring to such countries as China.