Yoshihide Suga pulled through his first Diet session as prime minister, overall staying on course to pass necessary bills and ward off criticism over appointments to a science council and alleged improper use of funds in relation to a cherry blossom-viewing party.
The 41-day session, set to end Saturday, wraps up after lawmakers passed bills that would enable free coronavirus vaccinations while exempting pharmaceutical companies from damages in liability lawsuits over side effects caused by the shots. The Upper House on Friday approved a free trade deal with the United Kingdom, the first major agreement for the country as it leaves the European Union's orbit next year.
As expected, the prime minister, who assumed his role almost three months ago, was subjected to a barrage of criticism from opposition lawmakers over his involvement in decisions regarding the membership of the Science Council of Japan, barring six scholars from being appointed in an unprecedented move.