Japan's Four Opposition Parties Agree to Submit No-Confidence Motion Against Suga Cabinet on 15th

Prime Minister Suga Consults with LDP Leadership on Countermeasures

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Japan's four opposition parties announced on the 14th that they will submit a no-confidence motion against the Suga Yoshihide (菅義偉) Cabinet on the 15th, NHK reported. According to the report, the leaders of the four opposition parties?the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party, the Democratic Party for the People, and the Social Democratic Party (in order of seats in the House of Representatives)?held a meeting around 6 p.m. that day and agreed on this course of action.

Earlier, the Japanese opposition proposed extending the regular Diet session, which ends on the 16th, by three months, citing pending issues such as the supplementary budget necessary for COVID-19 response. They agreed to submit a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet if the ruling Liberal Democratic Party rejected this proposal.

In response, Prime Minister Suga, who returned from the G7 summit held in the UK, met around 4 p.m. at the Tokyo residence with LDP Secretary-General Nikai Toshihiro and Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Moriyama Hiroshi to discuss countermeasures. Afterwards, Moriyama met with Azumi Jun, the Constitutional Democratic Party’s Diet Affairs Committee Chairman, and expressed refusal to extend the session, stating, "Even if the regular Diet session is closed, necessary discussions can still take place at the Diet level."

Accordingly, the four opposition parties agreed to submit the no-confidence motion. Edano Yukio, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party, said at a press conference, "The ruling party gave a regrettable answer that they cannot agree to extend the session without even considering our demands," and added, "We have agreed to jointly submit a no-confidence motion against the Suga Cabinet."

Shii Kazuo, chairman of the Japanese Communist Party, also raised his voice, saying, "Refusing to extend the regular Diet session is an abdication of political responsibility," and "The current administration does not protect the lives of the people and insists on holding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics despite experts pointing out the increased risk of infection, which is a reason to express no confidence."

Later, Moriyama told reporters, "I just received a message from the Constitutional Democratic Party that they aim to submit the no-confidence motion by 9 a.m. on the 15th," and added, "I want to hold a plenary session of the House of Representatives tomorrow afternoon to settle the no-confidence motion. There is absolutely no reason to distrust the current Cabinet." When asked by reporters if "settle" meant rejection, he replied, "Of course."

It is customary in Japan for opposition parties to submit no-confidence motions before the regular Diet session closes. Although the combined seats of the ruling LDP and its coalition partner Komeito exceed the majority, making it unlikely for the opposition’s no-confidence motion to pass, Prime Minister Suga has previously stated that he might consider dissolving the House of Representatives if a no-confidence motion is submitted. Regarding this, Secretary-General Nikai said, "I will advise Prime Minister Suga to dissolve the Diet," but added, "However, the right to dissolve does not belong to me," withholding further comment.