Overview
- The secretaries-general of the LDP and the Constitutional Democratic Party agreed the proposed reduction of Lower House seats should be discussed widely between ruling and opposition parties.
- The LDP held the inaugural meeting of its Political System Reform Headquarters on November 12 to examine electoral changes including cutting the number of representatives.
- The party is setting up four working groups—member numbers, electoral system, political funds, and party reform—each led by a chair to conduct concentrated discussions.
- Coalition partner Nippon Ishin is pressing for submission of a related bill in the current Diet session, increasing time pressure on the process.
- Cautious views remain within the LDP, even as headquarters chief Katsunobu Kato notes a set deadline and urges a prompt conclusion on the seat-cut question.