Japan Press Weekly

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2021 September 1 - 7 [POLITICS]

Suga gov’t refusal to hold extraordinary Diet session unconstitutional: 4 opposition parties

Four opposition parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, on September 2 issued a statement protesting that the Prime Minister Suga-led government and the ruling party unconstitutionally denied the opposition parties’ demand for holding an extraordinary Diet session based on Article 53 of the Constitution.

Diet affairs chiefs of the JCP, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Democratic Party for the People, and the Social Democratic Party on the day handed the statement to their counterpart in the Liberal Democratic Party, Moriyama Hiroshi, in the Diet building.

In the meeting, JCP Diet Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji noted that Article 53 of the Constitution stipulates that the Cabinet must convene an extraordinary Diet session when it is sought by a quarter or more of the total members of either House. He pointed out that it is unacceptable for the Suga Cabinet to refuse the opposition parties’ request made in accordance with this provision.

Kokuta went on to point out that it is obvious that the government’s response to an explosion of COVID-19 infections, which came after the closure of the ordinary session of the Diet, was wrong. He added that it is the government’s duty to protect people’s lives by accepting the opposition parties’ demand.

CDPJ Diet affairs chief Azumi Jun pointed out that under the current critical situation caused by a surge in COVID-19 cases, the government should fulfil its responsibility to hold an extraordinary Diet session to discuss implementing effective countermeasures.

In response, LDP Moriyama said, “I’ll take the statement seriously and convey it to the Cabinet and the ruling party.”

Past related article:
> Suga gov't extends COVID-19 state of emergency while refusing to hold extraordinary Diet session [August 19, 2021]