Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has delayed passage of the long-awaited IR Implementation Bill in order to avoid any potential backlash against a candidate it backed in Sunday’s gubernatorial election in Niigata Prefecture.
Independent candidate Hideyo Hanazumi won a closely fought election yesterday after being backed by the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito, defeating another independent Chikako Ikeda in the process. Ikeda had the backing of a number of opposition parties.
Hanazumi’s victory is seen as a major win for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as he seeks re-election later in the year, however local media is reporting that the LDP ensured there would be no backlash in the lead-up last week by delaying passage of its IR bill.
According to The Japan Times, the coalition had originally hoped to push the IR bill through the Lower House last Friday but opted not to force the issue until after the Niigata Prefecture election following resistance from opponents.
It is expected that the LDP will re-visit the bill again this Tuesday with the goal of sending it to the Upper House.
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