Liberal Democratic Party's policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi speaks at a ruling parties meeting in Tokyo on July 17. | JIJI
Jul 23, 2026
The extension of parliament is playing havoc with lawmakers’ overseas travel plans, as a Lower House committee turned down an overseas trip request from some ruling lawmakers but approved others’ plans during the eight-day extension that ends Saturday.
The lower chamber’s rules committee, made up of ruling and opposition party members, vetoed a planned trip by Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Chairman Takayuki Kobayashi and two LDP lawmakers, who had been scheduled to depart July 19 for Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands.
While parliament is in session, all lawmakers must get permission from the rules committee to travel overseas. The committee turned down requests from senior LDP officials as well as those serving as parliamentary committee chairs so they would be available to respond to questions during the extended session.
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