A House of Representatives committee approved a bill Wednesday that would allow the government to provide financial support for Japanese abducted to North Korea who return to Japan.
Despite a spat over committee attendance figures, the Lower House Health, Labor and Welfare Committee unanimously endorsed the proposed legislation, which is aimed at supporting returnees and family members who accompany them from North Korea.
The bill was to be sent to the full Lower House for approval Thursday before undergoing debate in the House of Councilors next week.