LDP plans to submit pension reform bill in mid-May

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) has threatened to launch a no-confidence motion against welfare Minister Takamaro Fukuoka if the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) fails to provide a specific submission date by Friday for its pension system reform bill. The LDP, despite ruling out submitting the bill this month, is prepared to bring it forward as early as mid-May. However, internal opposition within the LDP raises concerns about the impact on this summer’s House of Councilors election and accusations of misappropriation of funds from a related budget program, with the welfare ministry confirming it will reallocate Kosei Nenkin funds under the Kokumin Nenkin program.