Japan's Takahashi government pressured by coalition over sub‑capital law

Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi's coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) has become a flashpoint as the administration seeks to pass the “sub‑capital” bill, which would establish an alternative capital region to function during major disasters. The legislation cleared the lower house but faces an uncertain outlook in the upper house, where opposition parties and some LDP members express resistance.

The partnership with Ishin has also facilitated the enactment of other contentious measures, notably a revision of the Imperial Household Law to expand the imperial family and a “flag‑defacement” law criminalising damage to the national flag. Analysts describe Ishin as the coalition’s “accelerator,” while veteran LDP lawmakers have suggested that the party might be dropped from the alliance.

Recent polls indicate Takahashi's cabinet approval has fallen below 50%, and growing intra‑party dissent threatens the stability of the LDP‑Ishin coalition. Parallel initiatives, such as the parliamentary seat‑reduction bill, have been postponed, raising concerns that the alliance could fracture or force policy compromises.