Even with a minority government, deliberative debate cannot be realized unless the prime minister himself lays out the groundwork for the discussion.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in his New Year's press conference, emphasized the importance of "sincere policy discussions to achieve better outcomes," and called on opposition parties to cooperate in the legislative process.

The political situation he faces is undeniably challenging. With opposition parties holding a majority in the powerful House of Representatives, the Ishiba government cannot pass legislation without their cooperation.

Ishiba, who has pledged to create a "deliberative Diet," agreed to revisions to a supplementary budget during the extraordinary Diet session that ended in December. However, his move ultimately amounted to little more than maneuvering to secure numbers.

For example, the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito agreed to raise the income threshold for income tax exemptions -- known as the "1.03-million-yen wall" -- to win the support of the Democratic Party for the People (DPFP). However, it rejected the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP)'s demands for budget cuts, leaving bloated expenditures unaddressed.

The focus of the upcoming ordinary Diet session will be deliberations on the budget for fiscal 2025, beginning in April. While budgets are typically passed as originally proposed, this time amendments are likely as the government seeks opposition support.

The ruling coalition is reportedly considering collaborating with the DPFP, which is calling for a significant increase in the income tax threshold, or Nippon Ishin (the Japan Innovation Party), which has pledged to make high school tuition free.

During the news conference, Ishiba warned that "the opposition must also share responsibility." However, simply capitulating to opposition demands risks further worsening Japan's fiscal health and leaving behind long-term problems.

The issue of money in politics also remains unresolved. While there is strong opposition within the LDP to banning corporate and organizational donations, the prime minister should demonstrate leadership to restore public trust.

Since the general election, Ishiba has appeared overly cautious, prioritizing appeasement of both opposition parties and factions within his own party. His hallmark "Ishiba style" of politics has been conspicuously absent, and his approach has often been reactive, waiting to see what others do.

Even in his New Year's press conference, Ishiba offered few concrete proposals. His call for transitioning to a "growth-oriented economy led by wage increases and investment" merely echoed policies from the previous administration of Fumio Kishida.

On the diplomatic front, Japan faces a critical juncture as it prepares for the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Yet Ishiba's remarks were limited to vague statements such as, "It is important to establish a shared understanding."

What is needed now is for the prime minister to take the initiative in the Diet by raising concrete issues and clearly articulating his positions. At the same time, he must listen to opposition voices and work toward consensus through debate. This moment represents a critical test of whether Ishiba can realize a new model of politics based on genuine deliberation and collaboration.