Japan Press Weekly

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2024 October 30 - November 5 [POLITICS]

Civil Alliance evaluates Akahata as a trigger to successfully block 2/3 Diet majority necessary for constitutional revision

The Civil Alliance on October 28 issued a statement in response to the general election results and welcomed the fact that constitutional-revisionist parties were prevented from gaining two-thirds of Lower House seats.

The statement noted that it was Akahata that first uncovered the LDP factions’ slush-fund allegations, and that it was also the Akahata scoop that revealed that the LDP distributed “20 million yen” during the election campaign to each of its candidates who were involved in the illegal funds scandal. The statement emphasized, “It should be remembered that Akahata created the opportunity for constitutional opposition parties to make a breakthrough in the Lower House election.”

The statement stated that the Civil Alliance will continue to pursue the joint struggle of concerned citizens with opposition parties aiming at next year’s Upper House election in cooperation with all organizations and politicians based on constitutionalism and pacifism.

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The LDP, the Komei Party, the “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party, the Democratic Party for the People, and two more revisionist parties gained a total of 287 seats, less than two-thirds of seats in the Lower House required to initiate constitutional revision.

As for pro-Constitution parties, the Japanese Communist Party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the “Reiwa Shinsengumi” party, and the Social Democratic Party combined won 166 seats, more than one-third of the total (465 seats).

In the Upper House, the seats held by anti-Constitution parties exceeded two-thirds of the total (248 seats), but a two-thirds Diet majority in both chambers is necessary for constitutional amendments.

Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru at a press conference held on October 28 insisted, “The LDP will move forward with constitutional revision as its staunch policy.” However, under the current circumstances, it is impossible for the anti-Constitution parties to propose a motion for constitutional amendments.

Past related articles:
> JCP secures 8 seats [October 29, 2024]
Past related articles:
> JCP Standing Executive Committee issues statement on 2024 general election results
[October 29, 2024]