The Diet on Monday rejected government nominations for seven posts in three government-affiliated institutions after the opposition-controlled House of Councilors turned them down.
Although the nominations were approved Friday by the House of Representatives, the rejection by the Upper House will leave the seven posts vacant because the appointments require approval from both chambers.
The three institutions include a committee to monitor the outplacement of retired bureaucrats.
Last year, the Bank of Japan governor's seat was left vacant while the Upper House twice rejected government nominees, reflecting a tug of war between the ruling and opposition parties in the divided Diet.