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On July 22, the first meeting of the leadership of the ruling coalition parties following the House of Councillors election was held at the Prime Minister’s Office. The leaders of the DPJ and the People’s New Party (PNP) agreed to liaise closely on policy matters, and to join together in aiming to achieve the baseline of a strong economy, robust public finances and a strong social security system.
The meeting was attended by President (Prime Minister) Naoto Kan, Secretary General Yukio Edano, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku for the DPJ, and Leader Shizuka Kamei and Secretary General Mikio Shimoji for the PNP.
Following the meeting, Edano responded to reporters’ questions, saying, “We will administer the coalition government in a sound manner. Economic measures are necessary. We must be sure not to simply follow the Ministry of Finance’s lead, and escaping from deflation is important in realizing a strong economy.”
Edano went on to say that both political parties had agreed to liaise closely on policy matters, from the perspective that they were now at the start line of aiming for a strong economy, robust public finances and a strong social security system. Furthermore, he said that Prime Minister Kan had expressed his gratitude to the PNP for their efforts in obtaining the cooperation of the Social Democratic Party on postal reform and the revision of legislation relating to dispatch workers, which had been agreed upon by the three parties under the previous Cabinet.
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