Speculation on Double Election

With traditional interpretation of Constitution of Japan, Prime Minister is recognized as having power to dissolve House of Representatives in any time at his disposal. There rose up a speculation that Prime Miniser Shinzo Abe might be deciding to have double election of both Houses for his greatest political agenda of amending the Constitution. Other parties, including Abe’s coalition partner, are mostly against the option.

Abe carefully calculated political schedule of next year. Public Officers Election Act determines that election of House of Councilors must be held within 30 days before the end of term of the members. The term of a half of all the Councillors will end on 25^th of next July. Considering usual scheduling of Sunday election, possible dates for the upper house election should be June 26^th, July 3^rd, 10^th and 17^th and 24^th.

The speculation of double election loomed up when Abe decided the schedule of ordinary session of the Diet next year, which would be convened on January 4^th. The session will be ended on June 1^st with legal rule that determined the term of an ordinary session as 150 days except decision of extension. If Abe dissolve House of Representatives at the final day, the election for the Representatives will be held within 40 days, on July 11^th or earlier.

Then, another element to determine the date of election is lowering the age of eligible voters from 20 to 18. The law for the younger voters will be activated on June 20^th next year. Election of House of Representatives will have to be announced on June 20^th or later. The voting day with all those requirements fulfilled would be July 10^th with announcement on June 24^th.

If Abe wins two-third majority in both Houses in the double election, he will obtain power to take initiative for constitutional amendment. Considering certain time period for the procedure, he will need to extend his term as the President of Liberal Democratic Party, which will be expired in 2018. It is likely that Abe and his colleague will closely see the situation of Japanese politics.

The most protesting is not the opposite parties, but LDP’s coalition partner, Komeito. “Double election is not preferable, because it takes time for us to assure the voters our candidates’ name,” said President of Komeito, Natsuo Yamaguchi. Knowing that LDP lawmakers are counting on support from Osaka Restoration Party, Komeito is insisting on its status as the closest party to LDP.

Other Parties including Democratic Party of Japan are powerless in the politics over double election. Cooperation between DPJ and Japan Innovation Party is one of the few points to see for coming months.