Four LDP Rebels Force Takaichi Onto the Back Foot as Tax Cut Bill Reaches Upper House

The consumption tax cut bill cleared the Lower House on Nov. 6. With the LDP short of a majority in the Upper House, four abstentions have put a rejection — and a possible snap election — in play.

By Newsroom11 November 2026, 06:01 JST1 min read

Four LDP Rebels Force Takaichi Onto the Back Foot as Tax Cut Bill Reaches Upper House — Rumors are emerging of a general election to decide on a consumption tax cut, as opposition from former Prime Minister Ishiba and others clouds the consumption tax cut bill. (x)

A consumption tax cut bill at the center of the extraordinary Diet session cleared the Lower House on Nov. 6, and four LDP lawmakers who abstained in that vote have left Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi short of room in the Upper House, where debate opens on Nov. 11.

The party leadership decided on Nov. 9 to reprimand the four, among them former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, for violating party discipline. The punishment has sent complicated ripples through both government and opposition, Toyo Keizai Online reported.

A senior LDP lawmaker in the Upper House said several major obstacles now stand in the way of the bill's passage in the chamber, where the ruling bloc holds only a minority.

An optimistic plan goes awry

The leadership's unusually swift reprimand was meant to head off a revolt in the chamber, a senior party official said.

Even with the Conservative Party of Japan's two seats, the ruling coalition remains two short of a majority in the Upper House. Support from independents and other parties is essential, and a single absence could decide the outcome.

Attention now turns to deals with the Democratic Party for the People and Komeito, both of which could vote yes depending on the terms, a senior LDP Upper House official said.

Rejection would send the bill back

Some in the party warn it could become a source of trouble for Takaichi's government when the ordinary Diet session opens in January.