Japan's LDP, Ishin agree to form coalition government, NHK says

Japan's former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi answers questions during the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election candidates joint press conference at LDP headquarters, in Tokyo, Japan September 23, 2025. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party have effectively agreed to form a coalition government, public broadcaster NHK said on Monday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

LDP chief Sanae Takaichi and Hirofumi Yoshimura, head of the smaller, right-leaning party known as Ishin, spoke via phone on Monday morning and effectively reached an agreement, NHK said.

The two leaders will formally establish the coalition by signing an agreement on Monday night, NHK reported.

(Reporting by Mariko Katsumura and Satoshi Sugiyama; Editing by Tom Hogue)