In response to the weakened state of the economy, the main opposition party Shinshinto decided Tuesday to introduce a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.
The Hashimoto government should take the blame for the current financial turmoil and economic slump, Shinshinto officials said. The decision to file the motion came at a time when the ruling alliance and the opposition camp are at odds over voting dates for bills to revise the Deposit Insurance Law and introduce a mandatory nursing care insurance system.
Due to the conflict, Lower House plenary session votes on the two bills, slated for early Tuesday afternoon, were delayed. The opposition parties had threatened to boycott such a plenary session.