Three opposition parties filed a joint no-confidence motion Thursday evening against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, citing Hashimoto's failure to boost the nation's economy.
The Democratic Party of Japan, Liberal Party and Japanese Communist Party jointly presented the motion to the Lower House after the first round of questions over bills concerning the supplementary budget for fiscal 1998 was completed at the Lower House's Budget Committee.
The move was not expected to topple Hashimoto from power because the Liberal Democratic Party, which he heads, dominates the powerful Lower House. Most view the step as a symbolic gesture ahead of Upper House elections that will probably be held July 12.