Noda Abandoned a Choice of Non-confidence Resolution

The head of Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), Yoshihiko Noda, announced that he would not submit a con-confidence resolution against Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, in current ordinary session of the Diet ending on June 22nd. Noda explained a reason why he would rule out the resolution as consideration of international security situation which was too unstable for Japan to have a political vacancy. There remains criticism among the opposition party, accusing weak position of Noda as the leader of top opposition party. 

A non-confidence resolution is recognized as the strongest weapon for opposition parties against an incumbent prime minister. Article 69 of the Constitution of Japan vests the House of Representatives a power for resignation of the premier. When the house passes non-confidence resolution, the prime minister needs to resign as long as the house is not dissolved. The constitution is also interpreted that the prime minister can dissolve the House of Representatives as an advice for Emperor’s acts in matters of state.

 

The opposition parties have been enjoying a chance to pass the non-confidence resolution, only if they are united together, since the leading coalition, the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, lost their majority in the House last October. Noda has been seeking the timing for submitting the resolution in this ordinary session. It is usual for opposition parties to let the Lower House vote on the resolution at the end of ordinary session, regardless they have a chance to pass it.

 

In his press conference, Noda was asked why he decided not to go to a showdown on Prime Minister Ishiba’s handlings of politics, including prolonged tariff negotiation with the United States, failure to revise political donation system from companies to the LDP, or extremely high rice price. “I thought as the leading opposition party that it would be responsible for us to stimulate the government rather than spoiling it,” said Noda.

 

Noda followed Ishiba’s recognition that tariff negotiation with the U.S. would be of national crisis. He also referred to importance of evacuation of the Japanese citizens from Iran and Israel. If the CDPJ submit a non-confidence resolution and it passes the House of Representatives, and then Ishiba chooses the option of dissolving the House, all the parties will focus on the snap election, leaving domestic and foreign policies behind. Noda insisted that the case will make the people unhappy.

 

On the politics over non-confidence resolution, the leader of Japan Innovation Party, Seiji Maehara, played a certain role. Maehara publicly indicated that Ishiba would dissolve the Lower House immediately when the resolution would be submitted, not waiting for votes for the resolution. It is unusual for an opposition party leader referring to prime minister’s decision on non-confidential resolution. It is likely that Noda considered the situation of his party that it could not have a positive perspective in the snap election.

 

Not only other opposition leaders, but some leaders in CDPJ, are frustrated with Noda’s decision. An opposition leader is always supposed to be ready for a snap election. Noda looks to be losing a very good opportunity to defeat the leading party. Next Upper House election will be a serious test for Noda as the opposition leader.

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