Public Comments on Proposed Amendments to the Referendum Act Enforcement Order
Overview
From August 26 to September 24, 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications invited comments on a draft order partially amending the Enforcement Order for the Act on Procedures for Amendment of the Constitution of Japan, along with related matters, and received 17,737 comments. The draft sets out arrangements for handling vote-counting observers when a counting district is established on or after the two days before early voting ends, and for methods of sending applications to register in the overseas voters' register, among other matters. The order was finalized based on the draft, promulgated on October 30, 2026, and came into force the following day.
Key points
- The public comment process received 17,737 comments.
- The order was finalized based on the draft submitted for public comment, then promulgated and brought into force.
- The amendments include arrangements for handling vote-counting observers and methods for sending applications to register in the overseas voters' register.
Overview
In connection with the enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Act on Procedures for Amendment of the Constitution of Japan (Act No. 73 of 2026), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications invited comments on the draft order and related matters.
Details
The order prescribes how vote-counting observers are handled when, on or after the two days before the referendum, a counting district is established by dividing a municipality's area or combining all or part of the areas of multiple municipalities.
The order makes necessary provisions, including revising the method for sending applications to register in the overseas voters' register.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' views on the comments received were presented in an accompanying document.