Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has expressed reservations about using its new ability to pass bills via a second vote in the lower house after securing more than two-thirds of seats in Sunday's election. Party leaders emphasized prioritizing cooperation with opposition parties to avoid backlash.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured 316 seats in the House of Representatives in Sunday's election, surpassing the 310 needed for a two-thirds majority. This grants the party the power under Article 59 of the Constitution to override upper house rejections via a second vote, but LDP leaders are hesitant to use it freely.
LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki told reporters at party headquarters before dawn on Monday, “We have to refrain from adopting the attitude that we will force things through just by dint of numbers.” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who also serves as LDP president, said at a press conference that day, “If the Democratic Party for the People is considering [joining a coalition with the LDP], that is something we would certainly like to pursue.” The party aims to expand its coalition to address its minority status in the upper house.
The mechanism allows the lower house to pass a bill with two-thirds approval if the upper house rejects it outright or fails to vote within 60 days. Historically, it has been used 18 times under the administrations of Yasuo Fukuda, Taro Aso, and the second Shinzo Abe government, including a 2008 bill under Fukuda to resume Maritime Self-Defense Force refueling in the Indian Ocean for anti-terrorism efforts. However, in 2015, amid prolonged upper house debates on national security bills opposed by opposition parties, Abe's administration considered but ultimately avoided a second vote.
A veteran LDP lawmaker noted, “If we try to pass everything by a second vote, it will invite public criticism.” The power has limitations, such as not applying to Bank of Japan governor appointments.
Opposition parties worry that Prime Minister Takaichi, buoyed by the historic victory, might employ it for key bills in the coalition agreement with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), including measures to prevent foreign espionage, tighten restrictions on land purchases by foreigners, and outlaw damage to national flags. Takaichi has described these as “what I wanted to do but could not do.” Groups like the Centrist Reform Alliance have signaled opposition, potentially sparking debates in upcoming Diet sessions.
