Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi requested amendments to the "vice capital" bill during a meeting with Nippon Ishin no Kai leader Hirofumi Yoshimura on Monday [1].

The agreement signals a strategic alignment between the ruling party and the opposition to pass a cluster of high-profile legislative changes before the current Diet session concludes. This coordination is essential for the government to overcome internal party friction and secure a legislative majority.

During the meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo, Takaichi and Yoshimura confirmed their intent to pass three specific bills this session: the vice capital bill, the Imperial House Law amendment, and a bill to reduce the number of seats in the House of Representatives [1].

Takaichi said, "I highly evaluate the vice capital concept, including the Osaka Metropolis Plan."

Despite her support for the concept, Takaichi requested modifications to the vice capital bill because certain provisions supporting the Osaka Metropolis Plan have sparked backlash within the Liberal Democratic Party [1]. The requested changes aim to neutralize this internal opposition to ensure the bill's passage.

Yoshimura said the ruling party should have resolved its internal disagreements earlier. He said, "I wish they had settled this within the LDP first."

Regarding the seat reduction bill, reports indicate a proposed reduction of 10 percent, which would eliminate approximately 46 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives [2].

Yoshimura said the party would make a decision on the proposed amendments to the vice capital bill within a day or two [1].

“I highly evaluate the vice capital concept, including the Osaka Metropolis Plan.”

The collaboration between Prime Minister Takaichi and the Nippon Ishin no Kai suggests a pragmatic approach to governance, where the ruling LDP is willing to negotiate with a regional-power opposition party to advance structural reforms. By bundling the vice capital bill with the Imperial House Law and seat reductions, Takaichi is attempting to clear several politically sensitive hurdles simultaneously, though the friction over the Osaka Metropolis Plan highlights the ongoing tension between national party unity and local political ambitions.