Lawmakers have drafted a legislative outline to lay the groundwork for recognizing the concept of dignified death for people near death and for waiving prosecution of medical practitioners who take such patients off life support.
The nonpartisan parliamentarians' league on death with dignity held a general meeting the same day and plans to use the draft to deepen discussions on the issue with an eye toward submitting a bill to the Diet, members said.
But the Japan Medical Association has expressed opposition, saying, "It is doubtful there is national consensus on the issue being legislated, and it may disrupt the medical scene."