Japan's PM hit by no-confidence motion

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Japan's opposition-controlled upper house of parliament approved a no-confidence motion Wednesday against Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

It was the first time a chamber of parliament has passed such a censure in the country's post-war history. The motion is non-binding and largely symbolic.

Under Japan's constitution, adopted in 1947, a no-confidence motion only counts when it is approved by the lower house. Then, Fukuda would have had to dissolve the lower house and call snap elections.

The prime minister does not face such a threat.

The lower house is dominated by Fukuda's party members. And they countered Wednesday's motion by saying they will introduce a confidence motion as early as Thursday.

Still, analysts say the no-confidence motion is a stinging rebuke for a prime minister whose popularity plummeted after his government introduced a medical plan in April for people over age 75. It raises premiums and deducts healthcare expenses from pension payments.

The government has said the plan is unavoidable in a country with one of the world's largest aging populations. Opposition parties have criticized it for its effect on one of the most vulnerable segments of society.

The no-confidence motion comes weeks before Fukuda hosts a July 7 - 9 summit of the Group of Eight major economic powers.

CNN's Yoko Wakatsuki contributed to this report.

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