The Kanazawa branch of the Nagoya High Court ruled on Wednesday that Japan's July election for the House of Councilors was held in a state of unconstitutionality due to vote-value disparities. The court dismissed a claim to invalidate the election despite this finding. This contrasts with a recent ruling by the Osaka High Court deeming the election constitutional.
The Kanazawa branch of the Nagoya High Court ruled on Wednesday that the July election for the House of Councilors, Japan's upper parliamentary chamber, was held in a state of unconstitutionality in terms of vote-value disparities, with the maximum gap reaching 3.13 times. A group of lawyers, including Hidetoshi Masunaga, sought to invalidate the election, but Presiding Judge Kazuaki Ono dismissed the claim.
This is the second ruling among 16 lawsuits filed by two groups of lawyers at 14 high courts or branches nationwide. Last week, the Osaka High Court deemed the election constitutional. No review has been made to the electoral system since the 2022 Upper House election, which the Supreme Court found constitutional. The focus was on how courts would assess the widening of the maximum gap from 3.03 times in 2022.
In its Friday ruling, the Osaka High Court noted that the increase in disparity 'cannot be said to be a significant expansion.' Still, it urged Japan's parliament, the Diet, to take legislative measures, stating, 'The pressing issue has become even more urgent.'