Legislation planned to address passive smoking by banning lighting up in restaurants is in limbo because of strife between the health ministry and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
After an attempt to submit the bill to the Diet failed earlier this year, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry hopes to submit one to the extra session expected to convene this fall.
Although Japan, host of the 2020 Olympics, lags behind many of its peers in steps to eradicate passive smoking, the prospects for a legislative compromise are dim.