Prime Minister Takashi Takai asked the Japan Innovation Party to amend the Secondary Capital Bill by deleting a specific provision regarding referendums [1].
The request aims to resolve internal dissent within the Liberal Democratic Party and ensure the legislation passes during the current Diet session [1], [2].
Takai met with Innovation Party leader Yoshimura Hirofumi to discuss the controversial clause. The provision in question would allow for a prefecture-wide referendum on the establishment of special wards, similar to the 23 wards found in Tokyo [1], [3].
Yoshimura said a decision on whether to accept the amendment would be made within two days [1].
Beyond the Secondary Capital Bill, the leaders discussed other legislative priorities. Yoshimura said he and the prime minister confirmed they would push through revisions to the Imperial Household Law and the secondary capital bill, as well as seat reductions, in the current session [1].
As part of this agreement, the two parties intend to jointly submit a bill to reduce the number of seats in the House of Representatives by 45 [2].
This coordination between the prime minister and the Innovation Party represents a strategic effort to align disparate political interests before the legislative window closes for the session [1], [2].
“Prime Minister Takashi Takai asked the Japan Innovation Party to amend the Secondary Capital Bill”
This move suggests that the LDP is prioritizing the passage of the Secondary Capital Bill over the inclusion of direct democratic mechanisms like referendums. By negotiating with the Innovation Party to remove the clause, Takai is attempting to neutralize internal party opposition while simultaneously securing a win on parliamentary seat reduction to signal fiscal and administrative reform.
