Japan’s LDP, No. 2 opposition party share meeting room in Diet Building
December 13, 2021
In one of the most unusual outcomes of the recent House of Representatives election, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) are now sharing a meeting room in the Diet Building.
Meeting rooms are allocated according to how many legislators a party has in each of the two houses of the Diet. Ishin increased its seats in the lower house from 11 to 41 in the recent election, and asked the LDP to let it use part of a meeting room that the ruling party has been using.
The LDP readily consented, a clear indication that it wants to deepen its cooperation with Ishin, which surged to the No. 2 opposition spot in the election, over issues including Diet management and amending the Constitution.
The two parties are sharing meeting room No. 24, an about 180-square-meter space on the third floor of the lower house. Only a movable partition separates the areas used by the two parties.
Both parties use room No. 24 for press conferences and meetings. To avoid the other side’s voices drifting over, the LDP and Ishin no Kai have arranged not to be present at the same time.
A solid wall could be installed, but the LDP left the room as it is because it “wants to facilitate an exchange of views with Ishin by creating a more open atmosphere,” according to a senior party official.
Nonetheless, Ishin has become increasingly critical of the LDP over such issues as reviewing the allowance given to Diet members for correspondence, communication and transportation expenses. It is unclear whether the LDP can narrow the gap with Ishin as the ruling party seeks to do.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Promotes Revised NISA Investment Program to Young People; Kishida Focusing on Moving Money From Savings to Investment in a Safe Environment
-
84% of People Nationwide Say They Feel Japan’s National Security Is Under Threat
-
“High Probability” 2 MSDF Patrol Helicopters Collided near Torishima Island; 1 Dead, 7 Others Onboard Missing (Update 2)
-
Russia to Ban Non-Registered Vessels from Waters Around Northern Territories From April 11 to 17
-
Japan-U.K. Foreign Ministers Confirm Deepening Cooperation in Security Field; Kamikawa Underscores Importance of NATO Ties
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Japan Household Spending Down 0.5% in Feb.
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’