Rift between LDP and Ishin over revision of three security documents, they submit separate proposals to Prime Minister

LDP and Ishin submit separate proposals to PM on revision of three security documents, rift over review of Three Non-Nuclear Principles Hamada Yasukazu, the LDP's Security Research Council chair, and Maehara Seiji, Ishin's counterpart, handed over their proposals to Prime Minister Takaichi at the Prime Minister's Office on the 24th. While the LDP did not mention the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, Ishin explicitly called for a realistic examination of the 'not bringing in' clause and starting discussions on nuclear sharing. Differences also emerged over the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines. 12

Sub-capital bill jointly submitted by LDP and Ishin, provisions for expanding referendums for the Osaka Metropolis plan deleted The LDP and Nippon Ishin submitted a sub-capital bill to the House of Representatives on the 24th, aimed at providing alternative capital functions during large-scale disasters. The provisions for expanding referendums related to the 'Osaka Metropolis Plan,' initially included, were removed due to concerns within the LDP. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party for the People submitted a rival bill on the same day to establish special cities. 34

Ruling parties jointly submit bill to cut 45 proportional representation seats; passage uncertain amid opposition backlash The LDP and Ishin submitted a bill on the 24th to automatically cut 45 proportional representation seats, aiming to reduce the total number of House of Representatives members from 465 by 10%. Opposition parties are strongly resisting the bill, arguing it disadvantages smaller parties. With only three weeks left in the current Diet session, the bill's passage remains uncertain. 5

METI career bureaucrat arrested for impersonating female acquaintance in over 40 lewd messages Ito Masao (53), a career bureaucrat at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, was arrested on suspicion of defamation for using a woman in her 30s, whom he met through work, photos and real name to post fake profiles on dating sites and sending them to numerous men. The woman had received well over a hundred lewd phone calls. 6

National health insurance evasion spreads among local politicians; MHLW to investigate It has been discovered that local politicians from Nippon Ishin and the Sanseito party were avoiding national health insurance premiums by serving as officers of general incorporated associations. Approximately 200 similar services have been confirmed nationwide, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare plans to investigate the matter as potentially illegal activity. 7

LDP rejects intensive committee session with Prime Minister attendance in July; opposition backlash stalls Diet schedule talks The LDP informed the opposition on the 24th that it would be difficult to hold an intensive committee session in the House of Councillors Budget Committee, regarding allegations of the Prime Minister's involvement in creating a defamatory video, even in July. The Constitutional Democratic Party has pushed back, refusing to engage in schedule coordination without a firm commitment, deepening the Diet impasse. 8