Japan's Prime Minister Koike stalls secondary‑capital legislation amid parliamentary deadlock

Prime Minister Sanae Koike met with Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura on July 7 and confirmed that the House of Representatives seat‑reduction bill would be postponed, pushing it to the autumn special session. On July 14 the special committee reviewing the “secondary capital” bill delayed a vote, with both the ruling and opposition parties agreeing to avoid a forced decision. The bill’s prospects remain unclear as the current parliamentary session ends in three days, prompting discussion of a possible extension. Ongoing negotiations among the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan Innovation Party, Democratic Party, and Komeito aim to modify the proposal, but no consensus has been reached.