What happens if Japan's House of Representatives passes a no-confidence motion?
A no-confidence resolution in the Japanese House of Representatives forces the prime minister to choose between resigning the entire cabinet or dissolving the House and calling new elections.
Trust & Coverage
- Page Type
- Scenario explainer
- Last Updated
- April 15, 2026
- Sources
- 2 linked
Scenario pages are procedural explainers linked back to relevant institutions, offices, and countries.
They are meant to explain formal political processes, not speculate on current events.
Scenario Feedback
Step-by-Step Process
This explainer walks through the 4 steps involved in this process, from start to finish.
Step 1
The House passes a no-confidence resolution
A no-confidence motion against the cabinet requires a simple majority in the House of Representatives. It may be filed by any member and debated on the floor. The vote typically follows a period of intense political pressure on the government.
Step 2
The prime minister faces a binary choice
Under Article 69 of the Constitution, once the motion passes, the cabinet must either resign en masse within 10 days or dissolve the House of Representatives and call a general election. There is no middle ground.