Japanese premier survives test over electoral reform

Japanese Prime Minister Zenko Suzuki easily survived the first motion of no confidence against his Cabinet since he took office in July 1980.

The motion was put forward in the lower house by two opposition parties that opposed an electoral reform bill sponsored by Mr. Suzuki's Liberal Democratic Party. The bill, to introduce proportional representation for 100 of the 252 seats in the upper house, was expected to be passed through the lower house late Wednesday. The upper house had already approved the bill.