Ruling party to pause bills on Diet seats and secondary capital

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Thursday it will halt debate on bills to reduce Lower House seats and create a secondary capital while discussions on proposed Imperial House Law revisions proceed. LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki made the statement at a meeting with executives from the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance.

The two sides' parliamentary affairs leaders will continue talks on the schedule.

Opposition response Centrist Reform Alliance lawmaker Takeshi Shina said a calm environment for the imperial family bill cannot be secured if the ruling coalition continues pushing other legislation. Suzuki did not reply to the comment. Shina added that Suzuki pledged efforts to arrange intensive budget committee sessions and direct debates between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and opposition leaders.

Later Thursday, leaders of five opposition parties agreed to urge the ruling coalition to abandon the seat-reduction and secondary-capital bills.

Parliamentary schedule The Upper House Audit Committee scheduled a question-and-answer session with Takaichi. Both chambers canceled all bill deliberations for the day after the Lower House Speaker called for a return to normal proceedings. The ruling coalition, which includes the Japan Innovation Party, had begun Lower House consideration of the two bills without opposition consent, prompting a boycott of plenary and committee meetings.