Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s firm decision to go ahead with a two-year reduction of the consumption tax was meant to quell debates and reestablish unity within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. It has instead widened fissures, calling into question whether Takaichi will be able to pass the required legislation and placing her at the whims of public opinion in managing party dissenters.

Despite months of debate, the Takaichi administration failed to gain consensus within the LDP. While the measure ostensibly received unanimous support from the party’s General Affairs Council on Wednesday, the reality is that nine of the 25 members were absent from the council’s decision-making session.

Chairperson Haruko Arimura said that the absences were based on business trips and other unrelated matters, but at least two of the members — former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and former Tax System Research Council Chairman Yoichi Miyazawa — both abstained due to opposition. Since the General Affairs Council runs on the principle of unanimous consent, it is likely that others from among the nine missing were also absent out of protest.