ISTANBUL

Japan’s main opposition party on Friday called on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s minority government to revise its record $733 billion budget proposal submitted to parliament.

Constitutional Democratic Party chief Yoshihiko Noda demanded that Ishiba’s government make changes worth approximately $25 billion, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

Ishiba’s Cabinet approved the 115.54 trillion yen ($733 billion) draft budget for fiscal 2025 last December.

The opposition's proposed changes include increased funding for education and health, the removal of a gasoline surcharge, and measures to ease financial burdens on households.

Ishiba faces a major test as the new parliamentary session, which began on Jan. 24, requires his minority government to secure support from smaller parties to pass key legislation.

The 150-day session will require Ishiba's coalition—comprising the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito—to gain backing from smaller parties to approve government bills, including the national budget.

The LDP-Komeito coalition holds 221 seats in the 465-member House of Representatives, 12 short of the 233 needed to pass legislation.

To bridge the gap, the coalition has been in talks with the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), which holds 21 seats.

“Both the ruling and opposition parties must engage in deliberations thoroughly and strive to make sure that the people understand and stand with us,” Ishiba told lawmakers, calling for bipartisan support ahead of the budget debate.

Ishiba’s government plans to introduce about 60 bills during the ongoing session, which will run until June 22.