Public-drafted legislation was unveiled Monday that would require local governments to hold a plebiscite if at least 10 percent of local voters petition for one, and make the results binding if they reflect the will of over a third of the registered voters.
The legislation sought by Jumin Tohyo Rippo Forum (Forum for Plebiscite Legislation), a group made up of lawyers, scholars, municipal assembly members and other members of the public, will also require municipalities to abide by the results of such plebiscites if the results are supported by at least one-third of eligible voters.
Currently, plebiscites are nonbinding and local assemblies can decide if such voting can be held.