Taro Aso, policy affairs chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is expected to appear in a promotional video for ruling coalition partner New Komeito, it was learned Sunday.
It is extremely rare for any member of the so-called Top Three LDP officials -- the secretary general, policy affairs chief and chairman of the executive council -- to make such appearances for other political parties. The video is to air at New Komeito gatherings to drum up support for April's unified local elections.
Ever since joining the triumvirate, New Komeito has had to deal with internal complaints that the party has accepted many policies that do not necessarily follow the party's policy platform.
As a result, New Komeito policy chief Kazuo Kitagawa asked Aso to appear in the video and talk about the positive role New Komeito has played in the coalition, according to sources.
Complicating the decision was the animosity between Soka Gakkai, the Buddhist lay organization that supports New Komeito, and some religious groups that back the LDP.
Aso discussed the matter with LDP Secretary General Taku Yamasaki, and it was decided that his appearance would further strengthen the coalition.
The video is to be completed by the end of the month, the sources said.