The secretaries-general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Nippon Ishin no Kai, and the Democratic Party for the People (DPP) have reached an agreement on an electoral system reform proposal that includes a reduction of 31 proportional representation seats in the House of Representatives. It now appears likely that the relevant legislation will be enacted during the current parliamentary session. Although the reduction falls short of the 45-seat cut advocated by Nippon Ishin no Kai, the very fact that a reduction in the number of House seats has been secured comes as a surprise to me. I had assumed from the outset that today’s politicians were incapable of implementing reforms that would require them to make personal sacrifices. If this is indeed coming to fruition, then the Takaichi administration must be far more robust than I had imagined. It is possible that they may go on to carry out other major, decisive undertakings. (Kei)

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