Latest news with #ConstitutionalDemocraticParty
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Main opposition CDP decides against no-confidence motion for Ishiba
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has decided to forgo a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet in the ongoing ordinary session of the parliament, which ends on Sunday. CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda conveyed the decision Thursday to Seiji Maehara, co-head of Nippon Ishin no Kai. The CDP chief said that there should not be a political vacuum amid ongoing tariff negotiations between the Japanese and U.S. governments. He also mentioned heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
US Focus on Auto Trade Gap Is Sticking Point for Japan Deal
A strong US focus on its auto trade deficit with Japan is a key factor keeping the two nations from reaching a deal, according to a Japanese opposition party leader who met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to discuss the tariff negotiations. Yoshihiko Noda, who heads the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said on Thursday that he asked Ishiba what was preventing the two sides from finding common ground in the talks that have continued for around two months.
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
In a first, Lower House opposition parties unite to dismiss finance committee chair
The Lower House finance committee chairman was removed Wednesday after a united opposition front supported a dismissal motion in a bid to hurt the ruling coalition ahead of the upcoming Upper House election. It is the first time ever that a motion against the head of a committee has cleared the Lower House — with a 237-221 vote — reflecting the vulnerabilities of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's minority government. A similar motion has been approved in the Upper House in the past. Tatsunori Ibayashi, a Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, became the target of the dismissal motion for failing to allow deliberations on a bill to abolish the gasoline tax in the final stage of the parliamentary session. Yukihiko Akutsu, a Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker, was chosen to replace him in an election in the Lower House hours later with 238 votes. He is expected to kickstart the debate over the bill in the coming hours. The motion came as it became less likely for the CDP to submit a no-confidence motion — a key arsenal for the opposition — against Ishiba, who reportedly threatened to dissolve the Lower House for a snap election if they did. In the plenary session speech ahead of the voting to dismiss Ibayashi, CDP lawmaker Shuji Inatomi accused the ruling parties of failing to deliberate on the gasoline tax bill, saying they are neglecting the impact of rising prices on people's livelihoods. 'The coalition has taken a very passive stance on this issue, and it's hard to say any concrete discussions to abolish (the provisional gasoline tax rate) have taken place,' Inatomi said. 'The ruling parties have consistently avoided specifying a clear timeline for the abolition.' The motion was submitted Tuesday by six parties — the CDP, Nippon Ishin no Kai, the Democratic Party for the People, Sanseito, the Conservative Party of Japan and the Social Democratic Party. The parties protested Ibayashi's decision to prevent deliberations on an opposition-sponsored bill that would abolish a provisional gasoline tax rate from July 1. The bill — submitted by the six parties with the Japanese Communist Party last week — proposed scrapping two separate taxes often referred to simply as 'gasoline tax.' Parliamentary committee chairpersons have authority over the deliberations in their respective committees. The LDP, meanwhile, called the bill's submission 'unexpected' given the imminent closure of the parliamentary session and the absence of measures to deal with the expected fall of revenues. The provisional tax rate was introduced in 1974, in the aftermath of the first oil shock, by the government of then-Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka to help pay to maintain roads. It was originally intended as a temporary measure but has stayed in place ever since. This fiscal year, the gasoline tax contributed ¥2.2 billion ($15.2 million) in revenue to state coffers. In December, the LDP, Komeito and the opposition's DPP agreed to abolish the provisional gasoline tax, but when that would be implemented and how to fund it weren't discussed. In April, the three parties signed an additional deal to temporarily lower gasoline prices. The opposition is likely to tout Ibayashi's removal and its commitment to take concrete measures to eliminate the gasoline tax in the upcoming Upper House race.
Japan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Upper House election likely to take place July 20
The Upper House election is likely to take place on July 20 as government and ruling coalition officials are not considering extending the current parliamentary session, people familiar with the matter said. The administration of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba thinks that there is no need to extend the parliamentary session beyond the scheduled end date of June 22 after legislation on reforms to the public pension system was enacted Friday. The public offices election law stipulates that a triennial Upper House election be held between 24 days and 30 days after the end of a parliamentary session, meaning that this year's election will likely take place on July 20. Whether the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan will submit a no-confidence motion against the Ishiba Cabinet is set to be the main focus in the closing days of the current parliamentary session. Ishiba is not expected to call a snap election for the Lower House unless the CDP files a no-confidence motion. Many CDP lawmakers are taking a cautious stance on submitting a no-confidence motion out of concern over a lack of preparedness for a Lower House election and over a possible backlash against creating a political vacuum. CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda, speaking to reporters on Saturday in a Tokyo suburb, reiterated that he will decide what to do over a no-confidence motion "in a comprehensive and appropriate way and in an appropriate timing." The CDP has been pressing for votes on a bill that would lower the gasoline tax and another that would introduce a selective dual surname system, issues that Ishiba's ruling coalition is reluctant to pursue. This may influence Noda's decision on a no-confidence motion.
Japan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Parliament enacts revised pension reform bill
Parliament on Friday enacted a revised pension reform bill that calls for a measure to shore up basic pension benefits. The legislation passed the House of Councilors, the upper chamber of the Diet, by a majority vote, receiving support from the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito ruling coalition, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and others. The basic pension improvement plan was initially not included in the government-submitted bill, reflecting opposition among LDP members, but a supplementary provision calling for such a measure was added following an agreement between the ruling bloc and the CDP. The revised bill had cleared the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, last month.
