The Democratic Party of Japan signaled Tuesday in last-minute talks with the two main opposition parties that it is willing to revise or shelve some of its earlier election pledges in return for their help to pass the contentious consumption tax increase.
The ruling DPJ is ready to compromise on its goals to consolidate kindergartens and nurseries into new day-care facilities, to create a basic pension system that guarantees monthly minimum benefits of ¥70,000 and to abolish a separate health insurance system for people aged 75 and older, if the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito back its push to double the consumption tax by 2015.
The child facilities, pension outlays and elderly health insurance were all key pledges the DPJ made in its successful campaign for the 2009 Lower House election, which saw it oust the long-ruling LDP camp.