Opposition Raps PM Takaichi’s Diet Handling in Her 1st 6 Months

Tokyo, April 21 (Jiji Press)–As Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi marked six months in office on Tuesday, opposition parties criticized her handling of Diet affairs as heavy-handed. Takeshi Shina, secretary-general of the Centrist Reform Alliance, told reporters that Takaichi’s push to shorten Diet deliberations on the government’s fiscal 2026 budget was “very problematic from the standpoint of democracy.” “The prime minister said she would work and work, but does she intend to let the Diet work?” Shina added. Komeito leader Toshiko Takeya said that the prime minister “should give the public adequate explanations” about her initiative to implement divisive policies. Tomoko Tamura, head of the Japanese Communist Party, claimed that Takaichi is “running from dialogue,” saying, “She’s so pathetic.” Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima urged Takaichi to “engage in proper debates in the Diet and before the public.” Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki warned that the prime minister “could not implement all of her promises without seeking cooperation from her ruling Liberal Democratic Party and opposition parties.” At a press conference on Tuesday, LDP Secretary-General Junichi Ishii mentioned the ruling bloc’s lack of a majority in the House of Councillors. “It’s important to give sincere explanations and ask for cooperation where we can gain understanding from opposition parties,” Ishii said. Meanwhile, LDP Executive Acting Secretary-General Koichi Hagiuda praised Takaichi, saying, “She has exercised her strong leadership in domestic and foreign policy and steadily delivered results.” Hagiuda noted that the party will work on issues such as revising the Constitution and the Imperial House Law. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]