Key Facts
• November 2025: Ruling and opposition parties held a closed-door council meeting.
• Proposal: 10% reduction in House of Representatives seats by the ruling coalition.
• Ruling coalition: Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party aim to pass the bill.
• Opposition response: Criticism over lack of election system reform in the proposal.
• Opposition demand: Combine seat reduction with election system reform discussions.
• Liberal Democratic Party representative: Ongoing inter-party negotiations on the issue.
• Council meeting: First session in approximately one month.
• Outcome: No concrete resolution; further discussions anticipated.
Summary
The ruling coalition, comprising the Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party, has proposed a 10% reduction in the number of seats in Japan’s House of Representatives. This initiative, aimed at passing a legislative bill during the current extraordinary Diet session, has faced significant opposition. Critics argue that the proposal neglects the need for comprehensive election system reform, which they consider inseparable from seat reduction. The council meeting, held after a month-long hiatus, saw no resolution, with opposition parties demanding broader discussions. The Liberal Democratic Party indicated ongoing negotiations with other parties, suggesting potential future proposals. The debate highlights the complexities of balancing legislative efficiency with electoral fairness.
