Japan's ruling parties may seek to extend parliament to pass key bills

The central government and the ruling coalition are considering extending the ongoing session of parliament to ensure the enactment of a supplementary state budget and key bills amid criticism of the the Kishida administration over communication issues.

Japan's ruling parties may seek to extend parliament to pass key bills -0
Although the Diet has completed one-third of its current 69-day extraordinary session set to end on Dec. 10, it has started deliberating only a few bills. | KYODO

Although the Diet, as parliament is known, has completed one-third of its current 69-day extraordinary session set to end on Dec. 10, it has started deliberating only a few bills, including legislation aimed at revising the infectious disease law to prepare for future pandemics.

During the current session, the government plans to submit 18 bills. So far, no bills have been passed.

The government is expected to submit a fiscal 2022 supplementary budget plan designed to finance its latest economic package in November.

But the House of Representatives Budget Committee is unlikely to start deliberating the extra budget until Nov. 21 at the earliest, less than a month before the planned end of the session, as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to tour Southeast Asia in mid-November.

“The current Diet schedule is tight,” a senior official at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said, hinting at the possibility of an extension of the current session by about a week.

“The ongoing session will be extended for sure,” another senior LDP official said.

During the current session, the Prime Minister’s Office has faced criticism for failing to communicate well with the LDP’s Diet Affairs Committee, causing dissatisfaction among ruling party members over the government’s handling of parliamentary business.

One LDP member criticized the government over its plan to submit an extra budget in the middle of a Diet session, forcing the Budget Committees of both chambers to meet again and offering opposition parties a chance to grill the administration in parliament.

“Such a Diet schedule is ridiculous,” the LDP member said, blaming staff at the Prime Minister’s Office for causing the situation.

At a Lower House plenary meeting Tuesday, Kishida was questioned by opposition lawmakers on details of the resignation of economic revitalization minister Daishiro Yamagiwa over his relationship with the controversial Unification Church.

Kishida accepted opposition demands for explanations on Yamagiwa’s resignation, as opposition parties threatened to boycott Diet deliberations, sources familiar with the situation said.

The government “has created a troublesome precedent,” said an LDP lawmaker, who once served as chairman of the party’s Diet Affairs Committee.

“From now on, the prime minister will be asked to give an explanation at the Diet every time a Cabinet minister steps down,” the LDP member said.

At a plenary House of Councillors meeting on Friday, Kishida also answered questions from opposition parties about Yamagiwa’s resignation.

Meanwhile, a bill to narrow Lower House vote-value disparities by redrawing single-seat constituency boundaries will likely be enacted during the current session.

The government also aims to enact relief measures for victims of so-called spiritual sales and those who are manipulated into making large donations to religious groups. (The JapanTimes)

Parliaments

UK introduces new law to protect seafarer employment rights
Parliaments

UK introduces new law to protect seafarer employment rights

According to Nautilus International, the Employment Rights Bill is expected to introduce new protections specifically devised for seafarers, toughening the laws around collective dismissal, and cementing seafarer wage protections in UK law. The Bill, being introduced to Parliament this week, will seek to outlaw fire and rehire by requiring employers to prove there is no reasonable financial alternative to letting staff go.

Canada approves new law to develop offshore wind on its Atlantic coast
Parliaments

Canada approves new law to develop offshore wind on its Atlantic coast

Canada’s Senate has approved a new law, named bill C-49, which is set to unlock the country’s offshore renewable energy potential in the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, on Canada’s Atlantic coast. The bill, which includes the production of wind power as well as hydrogen, now awaits royal ascent.

California nurses applaud new law that provides transparency, improves equity in nursing education
Parliaments

California nurses applaud new law that provides transparency, improves equity in nursing education

California Nurses Association, the largest union of registered nurses in the state, applauds the signing of Senate Bill 1015 by Governor Gavin Newsom. Nurses say the new law, which was authored by Senator Dave Cortese and sponsored by CNA, is an essential step towards ensuring clinical placement opportunities for California’s future nurses, particularly for students attending public institutions like community colleges and state universities.

Seychelles' parliament adopts motion to make sign language official language
Parliaments

Seychelles' parliament adopts motion to make sign language official language

The National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion to designate Seychelles Deaf Language as an official national language, marking a significant milestone for the islands' hearing-impaired populationin. The motion was brought forward by Regina Esparon, the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) elected member for Glacis, on behalf of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus, coinciding with the Deaf Week 2024.

Ireland: New law to ban disposable vapes and restrict flavours
Parliaments

Ireland: New law to ban disposable vapes and restrict flavours

Disposable vapes will be banned and vape flavours and colours restricted under new legislation proposed by the government. The Department of Health yesterday published the general scheme of the proposed Nicotine Inhaling Products Bill, which will introduce further restrictions on nicotine inhaling products or vapes.

Brazil calls EU to suspend anti-deforestation law
Parliaments

Brazil calls EU to suspend anti-deforestation law

Brasília urges the European Commission to reconsider its anti-deforestation rules, which could potentially impact Brazil’s exports by almost US$15 billion. The European legislation passed in 2022 includes a ban on the import of products from areas deforested from 2022 onwards, even if deforestation is legal in those areas. 

UK parliament recognizes Bitcoin and digital assets as personal property
Parliaments

UK parliament recognizes Bitcoin and digital assets as personal property

The UK Parliament has introduced the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Bill today to officially and legally recognize Bitcoin $57,732.86, cryptocurrencies, and other digital assets as personal property. This new law will, for the first time, formally protect digital assets such as Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and carbon credits under English law, News.Az reports citing Cointurk news.