Photo/Illutration Yukio Edano, foreground, head of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, calls for votes in the Lower House on June 15 for a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who does not appear overly concerned. (Koichi Ueda)

The Lower House on June 15 overwhelmingly defeated a no-confidence motion submitted by opposition parties against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Not only did the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and junior coalition partner Komeito vote against the motion, but Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) also joined the ruling camp’s side on the issue.

Four opposition parties submitted the motion earlier in the day because Suga had rejected their demands that the current Diet session be extended for about three months to discuss how to properly deal with the novel coronavirus pandemic.

With the defeat of the no-confidence motion, the Diet session will end as scheduled on June 16.

In arguing for passage of the no-confidence motion, Yukio Edano, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said Suga was unfit to lead the nation because “he has turned his back to reality, refuses to enter into debate and is willing to allow the functions of the highest organ of state power to remain idle for a long period.”

Edano also criticized the Suga administration’s handling of the pandemic as well as the various money scandals involving LDP lawmakers.

Related News