Japan's House of Representatives Seat Reduction Bill Faces Consensus Challenges; Ruling Coalition Shifts Focus to Imperial House Law Revision

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, July 7) With only 10 days remaining in the Japanese parliamentary session, the ruling and opposition parties continue to clash over the revision of the Imperial House Law, the reduction of House of Representatives seats, and the concept of a "secondary capital." Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi met with Japan Innovation Party Representative Hirofumi Yoshimura today, confirming a temporary halt to the push for the House of Representatives seat reduction bill and prioritizing the advancement of the Imperial House Law revision.

According to reports from Asahi Shimbun and NHK, the bill to reduce the number of seats in the House of Representatives is unlikely to be legislated in the short term due to a lack of support from opposition parties. The ruling coalition has therefore decided to focus its efforts on the revision of the Imperial House Law, hoping to complete deliberations before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Takaichi and Yoshimura held a meeting for about 10 minutes in the evening. Secretaries-general and heads of the Diet affairs committees from the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party also attended. Takaichi stated after the meeting that given the limited time left in the parliamentary session, both sides exchanged views on the proposed bill and subsequent parliamentary agenda, but declined to disclose details.

Takaichi said that the possibility of extending the session was not discussed during the meeting.

Yoshimura stated after the meeting that both sides discussed the promotion methods for the revision of the Imperial House Law, bills related to the "secondary capital" concept, and the House of Representatives seat reduction bill. These matters will be further coordinated by the heads of the Diet affairs committees.

He also emphasized that reducing the number of seats in the House of Representatives remains an important reform proposal for the Japan Innovation Party and a promise made to voters during elections. "It is not a withdrawal at this time," and the Japan Innovation Party has not given up on promoting it.

Meanwhile, the heads of the Diet affairs committees of the opposition parties in both the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives held a meeting today. They unanimously agreed that a stable deliberation environment should be created first to allow the revision of the Imperial House Law to enter deliberations as soon as possible. Furthermore, all parties believe that it is not advisable to rashly extend the current parliamentary session by a significant margin. (Editor: Tang Shengyang) 1150707

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