Tamaki Yuichiro, leader of Japanese opposition Democratic Party for the People, has asked Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru to reflect its proposals in the government's new basic energy plan.

Tamaki handed a set of requests to Ishiba on Wednesday evening.

The government is currently working on compiling a draft of the basic plan by the end of this year.

Tamaki said supplying inexpensive and stable electricity is essential for stably developing the Japanese economy amid rising power demand. He asked the prime minister to realize a well-balanced energy supply.

Ishiba said providing an inexpensive and stable power supply is extremely important, and that the government will tackle the issue with this in mind.

In its requests, the DPFP called for maximizing the use of power sources that will promote decarbonization and that are less dependent on other countries, such as renewables.

It also asked for securing human resources and maintaining and enhancing technology to cope with drastic increase in electricity demand.

The party also requested that the government clarify that Japan needs nuclear power and will safely operate nuclear power plants while replacing decommissioned ones and building new ones.

Tamaki told reporters after the meeting that he and Ishiba had agreed on the need for a reasonable and stable power supply. He expressed hope for the government to come up with a plan to achieve the best energy mix for the future.

Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, lost their Lower House majority last month. So he is seeking cooperation from the DPFP to push forward his policies.