TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A contentious bill that would punish the planning of serious crimes is set to go to a vote in Japan's lower house next week after a motion of no confidence in the justice minister moved by opposition parties failed on Thursday.
The bill is expected to pass a House of Representatives committee vote on Friday and a vote in a lower house plenary session next Tuesday.
The ruling coalition hopes to introduce the bill to the House of Councillors the following day, aiming to get it enacted during the current parliamentary session set to end on June 18.
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has framed the bill, which would amend the law on organized crime, as a necessary measure to avert terrorism at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
But opponents fear the legislation could be used as a vehicle for excessive state surveillance and suppression of civic groups.
Read the full story at The Mainichi