The ruling bloc has offered concessions to the opposition camp over a contentious bill to make conspiracy a crime, proposing to apply the charge only to underworld groups.
The bill aims to revise the organized crime law, making it a criminal offense to plot murder or other serious crimes, even if the accused does not carry out the crime itself.
The opposition camp and citizens' groups have opposed the bill, saying punishing mere discussions would be tantamount to suppression of freedom of thought and expression.
Ruling bloc lawmakers proposed the concessions to members of the Democratic Party of Japan during an informal session Tuesday of the House of Representatives Judicial Affairs Committee.