Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Kenta Izumi on Friday hinted at the possibility of submitting a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet during the current session of parliament.
By submitting the motion, the main opposition party wants to show that it is opposed to a bill to secure funds for measures to boost the country's defense capabilities, Izumi told a news conference.
Speculation has emerged that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will respond to a no-confidence motion by dissolving the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, for a general election.
"If the prime minister dissolves the Lower House by taking advantage of a no-confidence motion, that would be fine," Izumi said.
Izumi criticized rival opposition party Nippon Ishin no Kai for voicing opposition toward the submission of a no-confidence motion, saying that the party is pandering to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, headed by Kishida.
Also on Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a news conference that it would be possible to dissolve the Lower House even when Emperor Naruhito is on an overseas trip. While dissolving the Lower House is one of the acts to be performed by the emperor under the Constitution, Matsuno said that a different member of the imperial family can carry out the duty for him.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are slated to visit Indonesia between June 17 to 23.
The Lower House has never been dissolved while an emperor is overseas under the current Constitution, Matsuno said.