LDP No. 2 Nikai Secretary-General: "No Need to Dissolve the House of Representatives Before the Olympics"

Revealed to reporters in Da Nang, Vietnam

High possibility that the House of Representatives dissolution will occur this fall

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Toshihiro Nikai, Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), expressed a negative view on dissolving the House of Representatives before the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games scheduled for July 24.

According to Kyodo News on the 13th, Nikai, who is currently visiting Da Nang, Vietnam, told reporters, "If you think about whether it is good for us to be busy campaigning during the Olympics, you will understand," adding, "If there is no inevitable task requiring dissolution, there is no need to dissolve (before the Olympics)."

Nikai is considered the second-in-command within the ruling LDP. Earlier this year, he stated that he had not discussed the timing of the House of Representatives dissolution with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Japanese media expect that Prime Minister Abe is likely to play the dissolution card after the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. This timing is about one year before Abe’s term as LDP president ends in September 2021.

Regarding this, Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of the Komeito Party, which forms a coalition government with the LDP, appeared on an NHK program on the 12th and said, "The current House of Representatives term has one year left this fall," adding, "We will prepare so that dissolution can happen at any time."

On the topic of Abe’s potential fourth consecutive term as LDP president, which is being discussed within the party, Nikai said, "We will respond while seriously listening to opinions within the party."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.