Scandals, from corruption to suicide, have been the hallmarks of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's first ordinary Diet session, which ended Thursday with support for his Cabinet at its lowest ebb.
With the July 29 Upper House election approaching fast, critics say the scandals have dealt a "huge blow" to the Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling bloc, which could possibly lose its majority in the chamber.
"This Diet session was the preliminary battle for the upcoming Upper House election, in which (the opposition parties) are risking (everything) for a change in power," Norihiko Narita, president of Surugadai University in Saitama Prefecture, said, noting the aggressive showdowns in the Diet have been rare of late.