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Akita High Court Branch Flags Upper-House Vote as in 'Unconstitutional State,' Declines to Void Result

The decision is the fifth such finding nationwide, signaling split judgments that intensify pressure on lawmakers to fix vote-value gaps.

Overview

  • The Sendai High Court Akita Branch ruled the July upper-house election was in an 'unconstitutional state' due to a maximum vote-value disparity of 3.13 times.
  • Despite the finding, the court dismissed the petition to invalidate the result in the Akita electoral district.
  • Presiding Judge Naoto Ogawa issued the ruling on November 6.
  • The lawsuit was filed by an Akita voter, with attorney Hidetoshi Masunaga serving as counsel.
  • Across 16 suits filed in 14 high courts and branches, there are now five 'unconstitutional state' rulings and four upholding constitutionality.