“Reduction of 31 seats” Liberal Democratic Party proposes compromise plan: public understanding, public and private opposition – House of Representatives quota

On the 22nd, the nine ruling and opposition parties held working-level consultations in the Diet regarding the review of the House of Representatives election system. Former Liberal Democratic Party Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki proposed a ``compromise plan'' to reduce the number of parliamentary seats, reducing the number of proportional representation seats from 45 to 31. Each party took it home. While the Democratic Party of Japan has expressed a certain degree of understanding, the Japan Restoration Association has held its stance. Opposition parties other than the Democratic People's Democratic Party are objecting, and it is unclear whether a consensus will be reached by the end of October.

The reduction of 31 seats was calculated based on the Democratic People's Democratic Party's argument that ``it is rational to reduce the number of parliamentarians in response to population decline,'' and based on the population decline rate of 6.7% from 2015 to 2030. The aim is to undermine national democracy by passing related bills in the current Diet session.

After the talks, Ishin Party Chairman Tatsuna Kanemura, who had advocated a 45-seat reduction, explained to reporters, ``We must have thorough discussions with the Liberal Democratic Party.'' Motohisa Furukawa, acting representative of the People's Democratic Party, said, ``It's better than a 45-point reduction,'' and indicated that the party would discuss it within the party.