Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda hinted Tuesday that he would again use the ruling coalition's two-thirds majority in the Lower House to override the Upper House if it fails to pass budget-related bills — including one on the gasoline and other auto-related taxes.
The Democratic Party of Japan meanwhile threatened to submit a censure motion against Fukuda if he resorts to the rarely used option again.
"I would like to clarify . . . that if the ruling bloc should once again neglect (the opinion of) the Upper House on (such issues) as deliberation over the special taxes law, we are prepared to submit a censure motion against the prime minister," said Azuma Koshiishi, chair of the DPJ's Upper House caucus, as he kicked off debate on Fukuda's policy speech of last week.