Japan's PM considers dissolving parliament if opposition pushes no-confidence motion

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is considering dissolving the House of Representatives and calling a snap general election if the main opposition party submits a no-confidence motion, a source close to the government leadership revealed on June 2.

Although Ishiba's ruling coalition does not command a majority in the lower house, the prime minister may act preemptively and dissolve the chamber before a no-confidence vote can be held, the source told Japanese media, per Caliber.Az.

Under Japanese law, if such a motion is filed and passed, the prime minister must either dissolve the House of Representatives or have the entire Cabinet resign within ten days.

Ishiba, who also serves as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has reportedly informed his aides that a no-confidence motion from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) would bring the prospect of dissolution "into view," according to the same source.

LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama has already floated the possibility with other senior party officials, the source added.

If the lower house is dissolved, it could lead to simultaneous elections for both houses of parliament. The House of Councillors election is scheduled for this summer, while a House of Representatives vote can be called at any point before the current term expires in fall 2028.

However, the source noted that some within the government are cautious about triggering a general election amid growing public concern over economic issues such as inflation and soaring rice prices, as well as trade tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration. Dissolving the lower house in such a climate could create a political vacuum and provoke backlash from voters already frustrated with the LDP-led coalition.

In the most recent general election held last October, neither the LDP-led bloc nor the CDPJ secured the 233 seats needed for a majority in the powerful lower chamber of the Diet.

To ease tensions and facilitate parliamentary progress, the ruling coalition last week accepted an opposition-backed revision to the government’s pension reform proposal. The concession came in response to CDPJ demands and is aimed at ensuring the bill’s passage before the current legislative session ends on June 22.

Meanwhile, Ishiba’s government continues to grapple with mounting difficulties. Public dissatisfaction is high over the rising cost of living, especially rice prices, which recently sparked controversy involving then-Agriculture Minister Taku Eto. Eto resigned last month after admitting he had never needed to buy rice himself, as he regularly received it from supporters, comments that were widely criticised as tone-deaf.

In addition, Tokyo is facing renewed trade pressures from Washington. Japan has urged the US to reconsider its tariff policy, which includes a 25% import duty on cars. Although a retaliatory 24% tariff has been temporarily suspended, US tariffs of 10% remain in place, along with duties on steel and aluminium products.

By Tamilla Hasanova