Multiseat Constituencies Key Issue in Lower House Reforms

Tokyo, Jan. 5 (Jiji Press)–The possible introduction of medium-size constituencies with multiple seats in the House of Representatives is emerging as a key issue in discussions among Japanese lawmakers on electoral system reforms for the lower chamber of parliament. A consultative group of Lower House lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition camps will accelerate their discussions to work out their reform proposal by spring. But it is unclear whether the proposal will include any drastic change, as the opposition camp rejects the idea of cutting the number of the all-important chamber’s seats by the 10 pct agreed on between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party. The consultative group will discuss what would be an ideal electoral system and how to improve the current one. It will reach its conclusion by around May, when preliminary results for the 2025 national census will be released. Last month, a nonpartisan lawmaker group held a plenary meeting to discuss the electoral system reforms. Proposals for a shift to a medium-size multiseat constituency system were floated by participants from the LDP and the JIP as well as by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People in the opposition camp. In addition, the DPFP has adopted the official policy of pursuing a plural ballot system, which would allow voters to vote for more than one candidate in a constituency. The JIP is also discussing the topic. Those proposing plural voting believe that the system would be suited to the current situation in which political fragmentation is underway and could reduce the number of votes cast for losing candidates. In the sweeping political reforms of 1994, the lower chamber shifted from a medium-sized multiseat constituency system to the current system combining single-seat constituencies and proportional representation blocs. The previous system involved competition among candidates of the same party, not just contenders from other parties. Such intense competition tended to increase the amounts of money spent during election campaigns, and many are concerned that a similar consequence would follow if a medium-sized multiseat system returns. In an internal survey by the LDP, some 60 pct of respondents were negative about drastically changing the electoral system. On an ideal system, respondents were almost equally divided between a single-seat system and a medium-sized constituency system. “It looks impossible to form a consensus,” a senior LDP lawmaker said. “The only way left is to maintain the current system.” CDP leader Yoshihiko Noda said that he takes “a very cautious stance” on the matter. Meanwhile, Komeito, Reiwa Shinsengumi, the Japanese Communist Party and Sanseito advocate an electoral system based on proportional representation, primarily or entirely. If it proves difficult to build a consensus among parties, the reforms may be limited to minor changes to the current system. In that case, the key issue would likely be the current system allowing candidates to run under both the constituency and proportional representation systems. Even if such candidates lose in their single-seat constituency races, they may still be given proportional representation seats. Proposals have been made to restrict the allocation of proportional representation seats. The ruling camp’s proposal to cut the number of Lower House seats is casting a shadow on the overall electoral system reform talks. The opposition camp is critical, saying that the proposed reduction would make it harder to reflect diverse opinions. In addition, the consultative group has treated an increase in Lower House seats as a key measure to resolve the issue of vote-value disparities. Even the LDP does not look as enthusiastic as the JIP. In a speech at the end of last year, JIP co-head Fumitake Fujita stressed that his party will realize the reduction during the ordinary Diet session starting this month. Meanwhile, an LDP lawmaker who sits on the consultative group said that starting the discussions with the topic of decreasing the number of Lower House seats would be unsuccessful. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]