Japan Ruling Parties Advance Sub‑Capital Bill as Opposition Boycotts Sessions

Japan’s ruling coalition – the Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party – pressed ahead with a bill to establish a “sub‑capital” while opposition parties refused to attend any parliamentary deliberations. On June 30, the special committee of the House of Representatives began debating the legislation despite the boycott, and on July 1 the committee continued its work without opposition members present.

The opposition, objecting to what they describe as a forced parliamentary agenda, also rejected a separate proposal to cut the number of lower‑house seats. Their boycott has left the committees proceeding without any questioning from opposition lawmakers, prompting the committee chair to note that proceedings must continue in their absence. The government plans to move the sub‑capital bill forward to a vote in the full chamber.