News Japan's upper house to officially become the Senate in English

[thomas]

WTH?

Japan's upper house will change its official English name from the House of Councillors to the Senate, after a committee decided on Thursday that the new title would more clearly convey that its members are lawmakers elected nationwide.

The decision was made by the chamber's Committee on Rules and Administration. The change will be introduced gradually. The government will be asked to update the English name in official documents, while the wording used on lawmakers' official passports and the upper house's website will be revised in stages. As part of the change, members of the 248-seat chamber will be referred to as senators.

According to the upper house secretariat, Senate was chosen as it is a commonly used English name for the upper chambers of many bicameral legislatures. The upper house is less powerful than the 465-seat House of Representatives. Its members serve six-year terms, with half of its seats contested in elections held every three years.

English name for Japan parliament's upper house to become Senate - The Mainichi

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The English name for the upper house in Japan's parliament will be changed to the Senate from the House of Councillors to clearly con

mainichi.jp

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Does this make any difference anywhere other than as a mental exercise? "A rose by any other name..." and all.

 

[Ukigumo]

I understand 'senate' better than 'House of Councillors'. I think they should consider getting rid of the Japanese language and adopting English, too. But not American English

 

[mdchachi]

I vote for House of Ne'er do Wells

 

[Petaris]

I vote for House of Pancakes. It may as well be useful for something after all!