Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Policy Research Council Chairman Fumio Kishida dined for about two hours at a blowfish cuisine restaurant in Akasaka, Tokyo on the evening of Jan. 25. After the dinner, Kishida told reporters that they discussed the Diet and the political situation and also “exchanged views” on the LDP presidential election in September.

Kishida also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso, who is close to Abe, in Tokyo on the evening of Jan. 15.