LDP and JIP Discuss Reduction of Diet Seats

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Japan Innovation Party (JIP) started discussion over reduction of Diet seats. While JIP demands a conclusion before the end of current Diet session, which will close on December 17, the LDP is reluctant to have an early conclusion. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the president of LDP, hopes to have a broad consensus among parties beyond the aisle. 

The LDP and JIP set a table to discuss the seat reduction, headed by Katsunobu Kato with LDP and Yasuto Urano with JIP. In the first bilateral meeting, both parties agreed on starting detailed discussion for the bill of election reform from next meeting. Kato insisted that both parties would seek enactment of a law for new electoral districts within current session of the Diet. LDP decided to establish a team in the party for the seat reduction.

 

JIP has shown its firm determination for reduction of the Diet seats, because it had achieved a success in reducing seats of Osaka Prefectural Assembly and Osaka City Assembly. However, there are precedents in the Diet that reduction of seats has been discussed by all the parties and make as broad consensus as possible.

 

Even some LDP lawmakers argue that the discussion should not be made only by LDP and JIP, but all the parties. A group of Diet members including LDP lawmakers submitted a request to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Fukushiro Nukaga, to conclude the issue of seat reduction in the context of overall reform of election system.

 

Another reason is relationship with former coalition partner, Komeito. Komeito firmly opposes the idea of the LDP and JIP. Some LDP lawmakers still need support from Komeito in their own elections. Considering strong opposition of Komeito, those LDP lawmakers are negative on introducing the seat reduction. There is an argument in the LDP that the bill for the reform should be about the program of seat reduction, which only determines the schedule for it.

 

The LDP and JIP are discussing 10 percent reduction only in proportional district of the House of Representatives with single-seat districts untouched. The opposition parties are opposing that idea, because it would work negative against small parties that rely on proportional districts. Some opposition parties argue that it would violate basic concept of democracy, which would respect opinions of minority.

 

Two leading parties launched new discussion bodies on various issues, which include political funds, social security reform, governance system and constitutional amendment. However, discussion is one thing and conclusion is another, It seems that the LDP tries to show its seriousness, even though it is nominal, to keep JIP within a framework of coalition to manage minority government in both Houses of the Diet.

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