Japan's LDP to present compromise on lower house electoral system, Yomiuri says 31 seats
In short
Ruling and opposition parties agreed on 20 October that LDP lawmaker Keisuke Suzuki will present a compromise plan at the next meeting on changes to the lower house electoral system. Yomiuri Shimbun reported on 22 October that the plan will propose cutting 31 proportional representation seats, fewer than the 45 the ruling side had sought.
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Ruling and opposition parties held talks on the lower house electoral system on 20 October. They agreed that Keisuke Suzuki of the Liberal Democratic Party will present a compromise plan, reflecting each party's views, at the next meeting. Yomiuri Shimbun said it was the third meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yomiuri Shimbun reported on 22 October that the LDP plan will propose cutting 31 proportional representation seats. Its second headline that day described this as a compromise that reduces the size of the cut. The available text gives no further detail. [ 4 , 5 ]
Nine parties are discussing a partial revision of the current single-seat district and proportional representation system, and aim to reach a conclusion around the end of October. TBS NEWS DIG quoted Suzuki as saying there were ten days left and that he wanted to seek how to close the gap. Differences remain over cutting the number of lawmakers, TBS NEWS DIG reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The ruling side has called for cutting 45 proportional seats, citing a bill under continued deliberation in the Diet. Ochiai of Minshu Kaikaku no Kai said he could absolutely not agree if the compromise included a 45-seat proportional cut. Mainichi reported that Komeito's Hiromasa Nakano said seat reduction must not be pushed through by force of numbers. [ 1 , 2 ]
Mainichi said some understanding was shown on reviewing the deposit for proportional candidates, but views did not match on many items, including stricter standards for candidates who win through proportional revival. LDP member Junji Hasegawa said a conclusion should be reached during the extraordinary Diet session and that talks had entered a stage of discussing along the compromise plan. Suzuki said gaps remain on each point and that he wanted to prevent business proceeding with the ruling parties alone. [ 2 ]
Yomiuri reported that Kokumin Minshu backed the Sainte-Laguë method, which makes it easier for small and medium parties to win seats than the current d'Hondt method. Team Mirai proposed it, and some in the ruling camp would accept it paired with seat cuts. Suzuki said that if the cut came after agreement, various views would emerge, leaving room for the method. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The parties are aiming to reach a conclusion by the end of October, and the documents say gaps remain on cutting seats. Opposition figures have said they would not agree to a plan that includes a 45-seat proportional cut.
Key facts
- Nine ruling and opposition parties held talks on lower house electoral system reform on 20 October, in the Diet according to Mainichi. [ 2 ]
- They agreed that LDP lawmaker Keisuke Suzuki will present a compromise plan reflecting each party's views at the next meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The parties are discussing a partial revision of the current single-seat district and proportional representation system, and aim to reach a conclusion around the end of October. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The ruling side has argued for cutting 45 proportional representation seats, citing a bill under continued deliberation in the Diet. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reported on 22 October that the LDP compromise will propose cutting 31 proportional representation seats, a smaller cut than before. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Kokumin Minshu expressed support at the 20 October meeting for introducing the Sainte-Laguë method for allocating proportional seats, a proposal from Team Mirai. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Suzuki was set at the 20 October meeting to present a compromise plan at the next meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The ruling side has called for cutting 45 proportional representation seats, and Minshu Kaikaku no Kai policy chief Takayuki Ochiai said he could absolutely not agree if the compromise includes it. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Differences between the parties on seat reduction had not been resolved at the 20 October meeting. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the parties can find common ground on the compromise plan. Mainichi and TBS NEWS DIG describe positions as parallel lines, and TBS NEWS DIG says it is uncertain whether agreement can be found.
- The 31-seat proportional cut in the LDP compromise plan. Only Yomiuri Shimbun reported this figure, in headlines on 22 October; the available text gives no further details.
- Whether the Sainte-Laguë method will be included. Suzuki left room for its introduction, according to Yomiuri, but no document says it is in the plan.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TBS NEWS DIG published its report on the 20 October talks. [ 1 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun published its report on the 20 October talks. [ 2 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun published its report on the third meeting (21 October) and its headline on the 31-seat plan (22 October). [ 3 , 4 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun published a headline on 22 October saying the LDP compromise reduces the size of the cut to 31 proportional seats. [ 5 ]