Editorial Aug 31, 2016

A new name for old conspiracy bill

If passed, legislation that criminalizes the acts of plotting and preparing to commit crimes will lead to greater government surveillance.

Politics & Diplomacy Nov 18, 2015

Japan lawmakers want to revisit controversial conspiracy law in wake of Paris attacks

by Reiji Yoshida

Several influential lawmakers have proposed adopting a previously rejected law that would give the government a stronger hand to address terrorism.

Crime & Legal Jan 14, 2015

Abe government won't submit conspiracy bill to upcoming Diet session

The Abe administration has decided not to submit to the upcoming Diet session a controversial bill aimed at punishing people involved in plotting serious crimes, government sources said on Wednesday. The government has so far presented bills to the Diet three times to revise ...

Editorial Jun 9, 2014

Creeping Orwellian angst

Legislative attempts to criminalize the act of "conspiracy" to commit some crimes as well as other government moves are enough to cause anxiety that Japan may be inching toward an Orwellian society.

Global-related Mar 21, 2014

There's a conspiracy theory wherever you look

by Cass R. Sunstein

Whether it's Ukraine, the National Security Agency, assassinations of national leaders, recent economic crises, the authorship of Shakespeare's plays — some people jump at the chance to connect a bunch of dots to support a relevant conspiracy theory. Why is that?

Crime & Legal Dec 11, 2013

Divisive conspiracy bill to get another try

Lawmakers will once again be asked to pass legislation making it illegal to participate in plotting a serious crime, such as murder, regardless of whether the crime is ever committed, a government source said. Since 2003, the government has made several attempts to revise ...