 JCP barred from taking the Upper House floor The Japanese Communist Party was not called upon to take the floor in the House of Councilors plenary session on October 14 -15 on the grounds that it falls short of 10 seats, the number required for taking the floor. The JCP reduced its number of seats to nine as a result of the House of Councilors election in July. In the House of Councilors, no party below 10 seats is allowed to have an interpellation time under the undemocratic rule set more than 20 years ago. Only the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties, and the largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan were allowed to take the floor. In the recent House of Councilors election the JCP received 4.36 million votes in the proportional representation constituency in the recent Upper House election, but it is now deprived of an opportunity to question the prime minister on behalf of its constituents. The JCP has consistently demanded that smaller parties also be allowed to have question time at the Upper House plenary sessions. The JCP this time made representations to House of Councilors President Ogi Chikage and to Upper House Diet Steering Committee Chair Mizote Kensei, arguing that the set minimum number runs counter to the principles of popular sovereignty and parliamentary democracy because such a rule bars people's wishes from being heard in national politics. (end) |