A ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party introduced a bill to reduce House of Representatives seats on June 27, 2024 [1].
The move signals a deepening divide between the government and opposition parties over the structure of Japan's legislative body. The dispute comes as the current Diet session nears its end, with approximately three weeks remaining [3].
The proposed legislation seeks to reduce the total number of seats by roughly 10 percent [2]. This reduction specifically includes cutting 45 seats from the proportional representation bloc [1].
In protest of the bill, several opposition lawmakers boycotted the committee meeting held at the House of Representatives in Tokyo [1]. Those absent included Rep. Takayuki Ochiai (Center Reform Union), Rep. Masaru Ishikawa (Sanseito), Rep. Yuya Minejima (Team Mirai), and Rep. Tetsuya Shiokawa (Communist Party) [1].
Opposition members said the reduction is an abnormal measure that should not be decided by the ruling coalition alone. They cited a lack of faith in the democratic process as the reason for their absence [1].
"Do you realize how abnormal this is?" Rep. Ochiai said [1].
Rep. Ishikawa said the proposal is completely incomprehensible [1]. Similarly, Rep. Furukawa of the Democratic Party for the People said the bill does not merit deliberation [1].
The ruling coalition continues to push the bill forward despite the boycott, utilizing their majority to steer the legislative process as the session deadline approaches [3].
“"Do you realize how abnormal this is?"”
The push to reduce the size of the House of Representatives reflects a tension between the ruling coalition's desire for a leaner legislature and the opposition's fear of losing proportional representation. By targeting the proportional bloc specifically, the bill may disproportionately affect smaller parties, potentially consolidating power within the larger established parties before the next election cycle.
