The Social Democratic Party, which is set to join next week with the Democratic Party of Japan in a ruling coalition, requested Friday that its chief, Mizuho Fukushima, be appointed environment minister.
The request came after the SDP had told the DPJ on Thursday that it would be "desirable" for Fukushima to assume a post related to employment concerns, such as health, labor and welfare minister.
The SDP apparently determined that it would be difficult for Fukushima to obtain the labor minister's post and that a ministerial job within the Cabinet Office, which does not oversee any specific agencies, would not allow the party to realize its aims.
Fukushima also seems interested in establishing a new industry framework and creating jobs in fields promoting environmentally friendly technologies.
"I would like to tackle this issue as one of the most important in the coalition government, " Fukushima said Thursday during a surprise appearance at an event organized by an environmental group.
"The SDP will launch a green new deal, a law to promote natural energy, and by doing so, we will create jobs," she said.