Japan's incoming new prime minister Sanae Takaichi has approached an opposition party with a view to expanding the governing coalition to give it a working majority in parliament, reports said Tuesday.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its longstanding junior partner Komeito have been in a minority in the lower and upper chambers since recent elections, making it hard to pass legislation.

The conservative Takaichi, 64, became president of the LDP on Saturday and is expected to become Japan's first woman prime minister next week, replacing Shigeru Ishiba.

Takaichi the next day met Yuichiro Tamaki, who heads the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), with a view to expanding the coalition, the Yomiuri Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun dailies reported.

Takaichi and Tamaki have in the pas

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