Former Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi was dismissed Thursday as chairwoman of the Upper House Environment Committee in the first case of its kind.
The seven opposition parties that together hold a majority in the Upper House passed a resolution to remove Kawaguchi as the panel chief for failing to convene a committee session because last month she extended a visit to China to meet with Yang Jiechi, a state councilor in charge of diplomacy.
The opposition forces, including the Democratic Party of Japan and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), are apparently trying to show off their power in the chamber as the Upper House election draws closer.