The Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters is seen in this file photo taken in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. (Mainichi/Kazuhisa Soneda)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's major ruling Liberal Democratic Party is planning to hold its annual convention on March 13 at a Tokyo hotel, an LDP source said Saturday.

       The schedule of the party convention is expected to be decided Friday at a meeting of its General Council, the source said, adding the size of the annual event will be determined in accordance with the situation of the coronavirus pandemic following the emergence of the Omicron variant.

       The LDP headed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to adopt its policy direction and possibly revise party rules during the convention.

       The LDP had to cancel its convention in 2020 due to the pandemic and the one held in March this year was with only around 500 people attending in person compared with the usual 3,000-plus as a precaution against the virus.

       At the previous convention, Kishida's predecessor Yoshihide Suga, who resigned as prime minister in early October, pledged to lead the LDP to victory in a general election and tackle the spread of COVID-19.

       In the House of Representatives election on Oct. 31, the LDP secured 261 seats, retaining a comfortable majority to effectively control all standing committees and steer the legislative process.

       Japan will have an upper house election next summer.

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0