Kyodo-PM To LDP: No Plans To Dissolve Parl't During Current Session

Kyodo news reporting that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has told executives of his governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that he is not thinking of dissolving parliament during the current Diet session. It should be noted that the current 'ordinary session' of the Diet runs until 21 June. The PM's comments come amid continued speculation about the prospect of a snap election, as well as the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party putting forward a motion of no confidence in the Kishida gov't on 16 June.

• Submitting a no-confidence motion in the gov't is not uncommon at the end of a parliamentary session, and given the sizable majority in the House of Representatives for the LDP and its Kometio allies it will be voted down.
• Kyodo reportsthat some LDP deputies have argued that the no-confidence motion could be used as a valid reason for Kishida calling a snap election. The PM is seen as keen to gain another mandate from the electorate ahead of the end of his term as LDP leader in Sep 2024 in order to boost his chances of re-election as party head (and therefore PM).
• Some observers have suggesting that the Emperor's trip to Indonesia scheduled for Jun 17-23 was a sign that Kishida was not planning to dissolve the House. These trips are approved by the PM's office and while someone deputising for the Emperor in dissolving the House would be legally possible, it would be unprecedented. For more detail see: https://marketnews.com/emperor-to-leave-country-on...