The Lower House began formal debate Thursday on a contentious conspiracy bill that would punish the planning of certain crimes, ostensibly in the name of counterterrorism.
The government says the bill revamps three previous conspiracy bills that flopped amid concerns they could lead to an invasive surveillance state and to the arbitrary persecution of civic groups.
The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito are aiming to get the bill passed by the powerful lower chamber by the end of the month so it can be enacted as law before the Diet closes in June.