Japanese opposition parties boycott Diet deliberations on June 26

On 26 June 2026, five opposition parties in Japan – the centrist, citizens, reform, future and communist parties – announced a complete refusal to take part in any deliberation in both houses of the National Diet. The move was presented as a protest against the ruling coalition’s push to pass a bill that would substantially cut the total number of Diet members, a proposal that has been debated in Japanese politics for years.

The opposition’s boycott also includes a refusal to discuss future parliamentary scheduling, signalling heightened tension over ongoing electoral‑reform discussions. The parties reference past attempts by the former Democratic Party to reduce lower‑house seats, highlighting the shifting political stances on the issue.

The refusal is expected to delay legislative activity and underscore the partisan divide over how Japan’s electoral system should be restructured.