Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori will face a moment of truth in the Upper House election scheduled for July. Results of the election could cause serious political turmoil.
Former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, appearing in a New Year's television program, predicted that even if the ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party were to lose its majority in the Upper House, the Mori administration would stay in power as long as the alliance controls the Lower House.
Under Article 67 of the Constitution, the prime minister is designated from among lawmakers by a Diet resolution. If the two chambers disagree on the designation, the Lower House decision takes precedence. Thus as long as the ruling forces control the Lower House, the Cabinet in power will continue to rule.