Japan’s extra Diet session could trigger 60-day rule to force key reforms

A 69-day extraordinary Diet session running until Dec. 12 has opened, providing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s minority government a window to apply the constitutionally allowed 60-day rule. Under this rule, if the Senate does not vote on a bill within 60 days of receipt, the lower house can deem it rejected and pass it with a two-thirds majority. The government’s priority bills are a temporary cut to the consumption tax on food and beverages from 8% to 1% for two years and a reduction in the number of seats in the House of Representatives.

Opposition parties have criticised the tax cut’s limited effect, while some LDP members may oppose the seat-reduction bill, potentially forcing reliance on the super-majority override. Senate LDP leader Masaji Matsuyama said using the rule is “completely out of the question,” yet political scientists warn that the threat alone could shape negotiations. Analysts also caution that invoking the rule could erode trust between parties and limit thorough debate on major reforms.