FOCUS: No clear winners in parliamentary gridlock after PM relents over seat cuts

TOKYO - A rare concerted parliamentary boycott by opposition forces prompted Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to reconsider pushing a contentious bill to reduce lower house seats through parliament, but the seemingly unified opposition still faces challenges of its own making.

Facing criticism for a high-handed approach to Diet affairs, Takaichi walked a fine line to resolve the parliamentary gridlock in a session that she had otherwise hoped would be a smooth ride after her coalition's sweeping election win in February.