The House of Councilors approved a bill Friday granting judicial authorities a say in whether people suffering mental problems who have committed serious crimes, including murder, need to be hospitalized.
The bill, originally submitted to the Diet last year, is expected to be passed into law during the current session, pending approval by the House of Representatives.
The legislation is targeted at people avoiding indictment, are acquitted or receive commuted sentences for serious offenses on the grounds of diminished responsibility because of mental problems.