The Democratic Party of Japan has faced a divided Diet since its ruling coalition lost its Upper House majority in July's election. While the DPJ-led coalition retains a majority of seats in the more powerful Lower House, the opposition now controls the other chamber, giving it the power to veto the bills that reach it.
As a result, the DPJ will have to negotiate with the opposition to pass legislation, the first priority being the supplementary budget it intends to enact during the current extraordinary session through Dec. 3.
But with the DPJ lacking the two-thirds Lower House majority needed to override Upper House votes, the ruling camp could wind up stuck in a stalemate, unable to pass the budget and related bills by the end of the fiscal year next March 31.