October 8, 2019

Japanese Communist Party Diet Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji, at a press conference in the Diet building on October 7, criticized Speaker of the House of Representatives Oshima Tadamori for calling for the enactment of a bill to amend the constitutional referendum law by the end of the current Diet session.

Two days earlier, Oshima spoke at his fundraising party in Hachinohe City (Aomori Pref.), saying, "For about two years, we have been discussing implementing changes in the national referendum law. I hope both the ruling and opposition parties will make a decision on the bill during the extraordinary session." This statement came under fire as it is incompatible with his position as the House Speaker who should be fair and neutral.

Kokuta said, "Oshima made these remarks in response to Prime Minister Abe who declared in his policy speech an election victory despite failing to gain a two-thirds majority in the Upper House needed for constitutional amendments and Abe's commitment to revise the Constitution."

Kokuta also said that Oshima's explanation made at a prior Lower House Steering Committee meeting that "my statement in question meant that I'd like to see Dietmembers making efforts to reach an agreement" was not convincing at all and that the JCP will continue to oppose any revisionist moves.

As Oshima refused to withdraw his controversial remarks, the Diet witnessed a state of confusion and the Lower House plenary session opened 85 minutes behind schedule.