A Diet panel on constitutional reform resumed deliberation on Thursday for the first time since November, debating whether to allow lawmakers' terms to be extended during times of major disaster.
In the first formal debate on the Constitution in the current session, questions on Thursday focused on the theme of protecting the public's right to political representation.
Representatives of ruling and opposition parties debated the possibility of an emergency clause allowing lawmakers' terms to be extended in major disasters to preserve the continuity of government.