TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Formal debate began Thursday in Japan's House of Representatives on a contentious bill that would punish the planning of certain crimes, ostensibly as a counterterrorism measure.
The government says the bill revamps three previous "conspiracy bills" which flopped amid concerns they could lead to invasive state surveillance and the arbitrary persecution of civic groups.
The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito are aiming to get the bill through the lower house by the end of this month so it can be enacted into law during the current Diet session, set to end in June.
But opposition parties argue the updated version of the bill remains dangerous and have vowed to fight it tooth and nail.
Read the full story at The Mainichi