The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) have reached an agreement to hold a party leaders’ debate on Wednesday, coinciding with the end of the current extraordinary Diet session. Opposition parties had initially called for more substantial debate at the Diet’s budget committees before the dissolution of the House of Representatives for a general election. However, they have compromised with the LDP on the condition that the debate’s duration be extended from its usual 45 minutes.
Discussions between the LDP and CDPJ are ongoing regarding how long this debate should last. While some LDP lawmakers have suggested a one-hour duration, opposition parties are adamant that it should be at least two hours. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had previously expressed his opinion in June, stating that “at least two hours should be secured” when discussing debate lengths on his blog.
During a meeting of their Diet affairs committee chiefs, four major opposition parties, including CDPJ, unanimously agreed to demand a minimum two-hour duration for this upcoming debate. Takashi Endo from Japan Innovation Party emphasized that Ishiba must follow through with what he had previously stated.
Additionally, it has been confirmed by both LDP and CDPJ’s House of Councillors’ Diet affairs committee chiefs that there will be a question-and-answer session conducted by party representatives on Tuesday.
these developments highlight ongoing negotiations between political parties in Japan as they strive to ensure meaningful debates and discussions within their parliamentary system.