Key Facts
• December 15: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi questioned in Upper House Budget Committee.
• December 17: Current extraordinary Diet session set to end without extension.
• Proposal aims to reduce House of Representatives seats by 10%.
• Bill introduced as part of coalition agreement between Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Japan Innovation Party.
• No progress on deliberation in the House of Representatives.
• December 16: Takaichi and Yoshimura to confirm continued discussions in 2026 regular Diet session.
• LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Suzuki met with Japan Innovation Party counterpart Hiroshi Nakatsukasa.
• LDP official: Extending Diet session unlikely to ensure bill’s passage.
Summary
The joint proposal by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Japan Innovation Party to reduce House of Representatives seats by 10% has been deferred to the 2026 regular Diet session. Despite being a key element of the coalition agreement, the bill has seen no progress in deliberations. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized the importance of the reform but refrained from commenting on legislative procedures. With the extraordinary Diet session ending on December 17 and no plans for extension, LDP officials deemed the bill’s passage unlikely this year. Discussions between party leaders are set to continue next year.
