DPJ launches talks for coalition government

TOKYO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on Wednesday launched talks with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party (PNP) over forming a tripartite coalition.

Democratic Party leader Yukio Hatoyama walks past his poster after speaking to reporters at the party headquarters in Tokyo September 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"Concerning policies, we would like to reach an official agreement as quickly as possible -- possibly by the end of this week," Masayuki Naoshima, DPJ policy chief, was quoted as telling a press conference after talking with his SDP and PNP counterparts Tomoko Abe and Shozaburo Jimi.

Earlier in the day, The DPJ Secretary General Katsuyu Okada and Naoshima on Wednesday visited Prime Minister Taro Aso's office for a smooth transfer of government.