A record ¥14 trillion extra budget for fiscal 2009 was enacted by the Diet on Friday as the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc used its right to override the opposition again and force the legislation through.
The opposition-controlled Upper House had rejected the extra budget earlier Friday, but Article 60 of the Constitution gives the Lower House the power to override the upper chamber to pass budgets, treaties and appointments of prime ministers.
Although it is rare to enact a supplementary budget at the beginning of a fiscal year, Prime Minister Taro Aso made reviving the economy one of his key goals for the session, which will adjourn for the summer next week.