Diet To Debate Bill On Religious Donation Rules

Diet to debate bill on religious donation rules

Japan's Diet will debate a bill on Tuesday that could help people who have been exploited by the former Unification Church. It is meant to regulate efforts to solicit donations for religious groups.

The main ruling Liberal Democratic Party presented a revised draft of the bill after two opposition parties called for a more effective one. They want authorities to prevent religious corporations from collecting donations against people's will.

Abe Apologizes For Past Incorrect Remarks To Diet

Abe apologizes for past incorrect remarks to Diet

Former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo has apologized in parliament over false remarks he made repeatedly to lawmakers about his political funds. The apology came a day after one of his secretaries was convicted of misreporting about 300,000 dollars in connection with parties for Abe's supporters.

"Today, I would like to explain the facts again at this committee and correct my answers. I would like to offer my deepest apologies to all Diet members," Abe said.

Former Pm Abe Apologizes For Past Comments In Diet

Former PM Abe apologizes for past comments in Diet

Former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo says that some previous comments he made in the Diet regarding parties held by his political support group were not factually correct and offered an apology.

Abe was speaking at a Diet committee meeting on Friday, one day after prosecutors brought a summary indictment against his secretary for allegedly misreporting income and expenditures related to the parties.

Abe To Speak At Diet On Misleading Remarks

Abe to speak at Diet on misleading remarks

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo will appear at Diet committee sessions on Friday. He is expected to explain and apologize for remarks he made at the legislature in relation to parties held by his political support group for his supporters.

One of his secretaries was indicted on Thursday for allegedly misreporting income and expenditure connected to the parties.

Abe: Ready To Explain Funding Allegations In Diet

Abe: Ready to explain funding allegations in Diet

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has expressed his intention to give an explanation in the Diet about alleged political funding violations involving his support group.

The support group allegedly paid some of the costs of parties held on the eve of the annual government-funded cherry blossom viewing events. The group is suspected of failing to report the revenue and expenses in violation of the political funds control law.

Japan's Diet Begins Debate On Vaccination Bill

Japan's Diet begins debate on vaccination bill

The Lower House of Japan's Diet has begun deliberating on a bill to revise the preventive vaccination law to secure vaccines for the coronavirus.

The bill would make coronavirus vaccinations free. If the vaccines are found to cause health problems, the government will pay for treatment.

Pm Suga Delivers His First Policy Speech In Diet

PM Suga delivers his first policy speech in Diet

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has delivered his first policy speech in the Diet since taking office last month. Topping the agenda was the coronavirus pandemic.

Suga said, "The nationwide spread of infection has been declining since late June. But at the moment, this trend is slowing and the situation remains unpredictable. We will do everything to prevent an explosive increase in infections and protect people's health and lives. We will also resume social and economic activities and revitalize the economy."

Suga To Explain Key Policies In Diet

Suga to explain key policies in Diet

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide plans to explain his Cabinet's key policies in the extraordinary Diet session to be convened next Monday.

Suga told reporters in Indonesia on Wednesday that when he ran for president of Japan's main governing Liberal Democratic Party, he pledged to balance anti-coronavirus measures and economic recovery.

Diet Committee Debates Science Council Appointment

Diet committee debates Science Council appointment

Japanese lawmakers have asked the government why the prime minister refused to appoint six nominees recommended by a leading academic organization as new members.

The Science Council of Japan is made up of 210 members whose terms last six years. Half of them are replaced with new members every three years. The council is an independent body, but its members are special national government employees.

Diet Passes Second Supplementary Budget

Diet passes second supplementary budget

Japanese lawmakers have passed a second supplementary budget to blunt the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Upper House approved the bill on Friday. The package is worth a record 31.9 trillion yen, or almost 300 billion dollars.

Diet Approves Supplementary Budget

Diet approves supplementary budget

Japan's Diet has approved a supplementary budget for fiscal 2020 to fund an emergency economic package to deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. It includes a cash handout of 100,000 yen, or 940 dollars, for all residents.

The Upper House passed the budget bill at its plenary session on Thursday following unanimous approval by the chamber's Budget Committee earlier in the day. The bill cleared the Lower House on Wednesday.

Diet Resumes With Anti-infection Measures

Diet resumes with anti-infection measures

Japanese lawmakers resumed Diet deliberations on Friday after a two-day suspension due to the declaration of a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.

At an Upper House plenary session, lawmakers wearing facemasks disinfected their hands before entering the chamber. They avoided sitting next to each other.