Key Facts
• December 17: Opposition groups decided not to submit a no-confidence motion against Governor Hanazumi.
• Governor Hanazumi is expected to be “trusted” by the prefectural assembly.
• The governor plans to visit the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry to proceed with local consent for the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant restart.
• Liberal Niigata, an opposition group, opposes the budget but will not submit a no-confidence motion.
• Liberal Niigata Secretary-General Koizumi stated they would oppose the restart in their own way.
• Future Niigata, the second-largest assembly group, also decided against submitting a no-confidence motion.
• Future Niigata leader Obuchi emphasized the governor was elected directly by the people.
• The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) supports the budget and will submit a supplementary resolution to affirm trust in the governor.
• The LDP holds a majority in the assembly, ensuring the resolution’s approval on December 22.
• Local consent procedures for the restart are expected to conclude by the end of the year.
Summary
On December 17, opposition groups in Niigata’s prefectural assembly decided not to submit a no-confidence motion against Governor Hanazumi, who supports restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant. Liberal Niigata and Future Niigata, key opposition groups, oppose the restart but chose alternative methods to express dissent. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democratic Party, holding a majority, plans to approve a supplementary resolution affirming trust in the governor. The resolution is expected to pass on December 22, enabling Governor Hanazumi to proceed with local consent procedures for the plant’s restart, likely concluding by year-end.
