A Lower House committee on Friday approved a contentious bill paving the way for Japan to legalize casinos for the first time despite persistent public criticism it will exacerbate gambling addictions and breed organized crime.

Friday's action, backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and conservative opposition party Nippon Ishin no Kai, is the latest in a litany of attempts by the ruling LDP to ram contentious bills through the extraordinary Diet session. Only a modicum of time was spent deliberating ahead of the vote. Debate kicked off on Wednesday.

Members of the opposition Democratic Party walked out of Friday's vote in protest.