June 10, 2021

The Japanese Communist Party on June 9 voted in favor of a no-confidence motion against the Kishida Cabinet which the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan submitted to a plenary session of the House of Representatives. The motion, however, was rejected by the majority force of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Komei Party, the “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party, and the Democratic Party for the People. The “Reiwa Shinsengumi” party abstained from voting.

After the plenary session, asked by the press for a comment on the rejection of the motion, JCP Chair Shii said, “We, as a matter of course, cast a no-confidence vote, but the motion was, as expected, voted down. Making use of the national election this summer as an opportunity to advance our position, we will drive the LDP government into the corner.”

Along with the no-confidence motion against the Cabinet, the CDPJ submitted a no-confidence motion against Lower House Speaker Hosoda Hiroyuki over allegations that he had sexually harassed female reporters. The LDP and Komei, however, used their majority to defeat the motion.

Prior to the vote, JCP Takahashi Chizuko in support of the no-confidence motion against Hosoda said, “The speaker of the House is under suspicion of engaging in sexual harassment. Together with several Dietmembers from the CDPJ and the Social Democratic Party, the JCP on June 3 made a representation to Hosoda to fulfill his accountability before the Diet regarding his sexual harassment scandal. However, he only said, ‘After the current Diet session ends, I will reveal the truth in court.’ It is unacceptable for Hosoda to stay in the post of the speaker without immediately clearing the suspicion involving himself.”

Regarding the rejection of the no-confidence motion against Hosoda, Shii told reporters that the unsuccessful motion does not mean that Hosoda was proven to be innocent, adding, “Our party will continue to press him to explain to the general public as well as to the Diet about the allegations.

Past related article:
> Shii: Lower House head Hosoda should be held accountable for his sexual harassment scandal [May 29 & 30, 2022]