Four pro-constitutional revision parties fall one seat short of needed majority

The July 10 Upper House election ended with the four parties that advocated constitutional revision falling one seat short of the two-thirds majority in the chamber needed to initiate a constitutional amendment.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and junior coalition partner, Komeito, ended up winning a total of 70 seats. Initiatives from Osaka, which also advocates constitutional revision, won seven seats.

While the fourth party in favor of constitutional revision--the Party for Japanese Kokoro--did not win a seat in the July 10 election, it has three uncontested seats. Adding the uncontested seats held by the LDP, Komeito and Initiatives from Osaka results in a total of 161 seats for the four parties.

That is one seat short of the 162 that represents a two-thirds majority in the Upper House.

However, Abe indicated late on July 10 that he wanted to form a two-thirds majority by attracting members of other opposition parties who may personally favor constitutional revision.

Appearing on TV news programs, Abe said about the election campaign, "There were opposing views expressed with some saying 'Do not lay a finger on the Constitution' and others saying 'There is a need for constitutional revision.' But now, there are many members of the (opposition) Democratic Party who say the Constitution should be amended."

Abe added, "What is important is discussing what articles should be amended and in what way. Asking only whether one favors or opposes constitutional revision is not very meaningful at the present time."