October 7, 2009

Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ozawa Ichiro on October 5 ordered the DPJ’s acting Diet Policy Commission Chair Mitsui Wakio to work for a reduction in the number of seats of permanent and special committees of the House of Representatives.

The order made by Ozawa as part of the “Diet reform” is to have parliamentarians take part in only one committee.

The cut in number of committee members will reduce opportunities for members of small parties to join in committee discussions.

Not only ruling parties but all parties with elected seats in the Diet should be involved in discussions to decide how to hold Diet deliberations.
- Akahata, October 7, 2009