Key Facts
• December 2, 2025: Naoki Hyakuta, leader of the Japan Conservative Party, held a press conference.
• Hyakuta criticized the House of Councillors, calling it the “second team” of the House of Representatives.
• He was elected in July 2025 through proportional representation in the House of Councillors election.
• Hyakuta proposed halving the salaries and terms of House of Councillors members.
• He argued the six-year term is too long, citing rapid societal and technological changes.
• Hyakuta suggested abolishing the House of Councillors but acknowledged it would not happen immediately.
• He criticized politicians who use the House of Councillors as a fallback after losing House of Representatives elections.
• Hyakuta humorously noted his own election to the House of Councillors after losing in the 2021 House of Representatives election.
• Fellow party member Yoichi Shimada criticized the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party’s agreement on reducing House of Representatives seats as “political performance.”
• Hyakuta questioned why Yoshimura Hirofumi, leader of the Japan Innovation Party, avoids discussing the House of Councillors.
Summary
Naoki Hyakuta, leader of the Japan Conservative Party, criticized the House of Councillors during a December 2, 2025, press conference, labeling it the “second team” of the House of Representatives. Hyakuta, elected to the House of Councillors in July 2025, proposed halving members’ salaries and terms, arguing the six-year term is outdated given rapid societal changes. He suggested abolishing the House of Councillors but acknowledged this would take time. Hyakuta also criticized politicians who use the House of Councillors as a fallback after losing House of Representatives elections, humorously referencing his own political journey. Fellow party member Yoichi Shimada condemned the Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party’s agreement to reduce House of Representatives seats as mere “political performance.” Hyakuta questioned why Japan Innovation Party leader Yoshimura Hirofumi avoids addressing the House of Councillors’ role. The press conference highlighted Hyakuta’s call for reforms to streamline Japan’s legislative system.
