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Japan's Record 122 Trillion Yen Budget Bill Clears Lower House Amid Opposition Backlash
Record 122 Trillion Yen Budget Bill Passes Lower House, Opposition Criticizes 'Unusual Speed'
Japan's new fiscal year budget bill passed the House of Representatives (Shugiin) on March 13. The bill, amounting to a record 122 trillion yen, was approved after a deliberation period of just 59 hours, the shortest in 20 years. The voting process itself was notable for its unusual speed, including the introduction of an AI voice system to call out members' names. The opposition, including Akira Nagatsuma of the Center Reform Alliance, strongly protested the rapid passage, requesting assurance that such a short deliberation period would not set a precedent. Prime Minister Takaichi responded that it was a matter for the National Diet to decide.
Upper House Deliberation Anticipated to Face Challenges Due to Ruling Party's Lack of Majority
The budget bill, having cleared the Lower House, is set to begin deliberation in the House of Councillors (Sangiin) on March 16. However, with the ruling party lacking a majority in the Upper House, it remains uncertain whether the deliberation will proceed as smoothly as it did in the Lower House. Opposition parties have already submitted a no-confidence motion against the budget committee chairman, signaling strong resistance. Naomi Tokashiki of the Liberal Democratic Party criticized the opposition's demand for equal or more deliberation time despite significant changes in seats after the general election. In response, Katsuya Shimba, Secretary-General of the Democratic Party for the People, argued that the will of the people in the House of Councillors election six months prior resulted in the ruling party's lack of a majority, urging humility. While Prime Minister Takaichi aims for the budget's enactment within the fiscal year, a challenging path through the Upper House is anticipated.
*Source: YouTube: ANNnewsCH (2026-03-14)*
