Japan Press Weekly

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2012 January 18 - 24 [POLITICS]

DPJ moves to cut proportional representation seats by 80

The ruling Democratic Party of Japan on January 17 decided to submit a bill to the next ordinary session of the Diet to cut the number of Lower House seats by 80 in proportional representation constituencies from the present 180.

The party also decided to adopt a Liberal Democratic Party proposal to cut
the number of Lower House single-seat constituencies by 5 from the present 300.

The Lower House election incorporates a system combining single-seat districts with large proportional representation districts. The single-seat constituency system functions in the interests of the major parties and creates a massive number of votes for smaller party candidates that are in essence wasted. In short, it falls short of reflecting the will of the voters.

In contrast, the proportional representation system more accurately reflects public opinion. Cutting the number of representatives elected by proportional representation, therefore, means it will further ignore public opinion.

Both the DPJ and the LDP are working to increase the consumption tax to 10%. The reduction in “pipelines” between the general public and national politics is aiming at barring the positions of minor parties and the anti-tax hike public opinion from the Diet arena.