August 1, 2019

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo stated that the remark made by a Liberal Democratic Party executive hinting at replacing the speaker of the Lower House signifies the party's impatience regarding stalemated discussions on constitutional amendment.

Acting Secretary-General of the LDP Hagiuda Koichi on an Internet program on July 26 said, "It will be extremely important for the Diet to make a shift toward revising the Constitution by naming an influential Dietmember as the speaker of the House of Representatives." Frustrated by the stalled debates on the issue of constitutional revision at the House Commission on the Constitution, Hagiuda stressed the need to replace Speaker Oshima Tadamori in order to realize constitutional revision as Prime Minister Abe wishes.

Asked by reporters for comments on Hagiuda's statement, JCP Chair Shii on July 31 in the Diet building criticized Haiguda, the closest aide of PM Abe, for violating the constitutional principle of separation of powers by making a remark that interferes in the workings of the legislative body.

Shii said, "His remark displays both the impatience and arrogance of the Abe government. The LDP in the latest national election lost nine seats and could not win a single-party majority. Pro-revisionist parties combined could not even obtain the two-thirds majority needed to initiate constitutional revision."

Shii added, "The present LDP is unable to not just propose an amendment to the Constitution, but it cannot pass even a single bill through the Diet on its own. The LDP's eagerness to impose constitutional revision is displayed by Hagiuda’s statement."