Speakers and Vice-Speakers Endorse Plan to Retain Female Imperial Members' Status and Adopt from Former Imperial Houses

Government's Outline Plan for Securing Imperial Family Numbers Broadly Endorsed by Speakers and Vice-Speakers The speakers and vice-speakers of both houses of the Diet on the 19th endorsed the outline of a revision to the Imperial House Law, centered on maintaining the status of female imperial family members after marriage and adopting male-line males from former imperial families. Adoptees must be at least 15 years old, and a provision for review every 30 years will be attached. The government aims to enact it by July 17. 12

Flag Desecration Bill Sparks Debate Over Freedom of Expression The Asahi Shimbun in an editorial opposed the bill to penalize flag desecration jointly submitted by four parties — the Liberal Democratic Party, Ishin, the Democratic Party for the People, and Sanseitō — calling it unnecessary and harmful. The ruling parties aim to pass it during the current Diet session, but arguments that it is unconstitutional are intensifying. 3

Sub-capital Bill: LDP Considering Amendments but Ishin Reluctant Regarding the sub-capital bill that the LDP aims to pass during the current Diet session together with Ishin, the LDP plans to present a revised version in response to opposition within the party. Coordination will take place in a party leaders' meeting as early as the 22nd, but Ishin has expressed reluctance to accept revisions. 4

Prime Minister Takaichi: Secretary Says 'No Memory' of Defamatory Video Meeting In a plenary session of the House of Councillors on the 19th, Prime Minister Takaichi, when asked whether a publicly funded secretary had participated in an online meeting to create defamatory videos, responded, 'I have been informed that [the secretary] has no clear memory.' The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan criticized this as a false statement. 5

Government Sets Target of 370 Trillion Yen in Public-Private Investment Under Growth Strategy In the growth strategy to be compiled by the government this summer, it is moving toward setting a total public-private investment of around 370 trillion yen in 17 strategic fields including AI, semiconductors, and shipbuilding. The government will make priority investments to realize Prime Minister Takaichi's vision of a 'strong economy'. 6

Child Suicides at Record High of 538, White Paper Expresses Alarm On the 19th, the government approved the 2026 edition of the Children's White Paper at a cabinet meeting. The number of suicides among elementary, junior high, and high school students in 2025 reached a record high of 538, and the government stressed that it will 'mobilize all efforts to promote countermeasures.' Bullying, abuse, and poverty are cited as background factors. 7

Amended Law Passed to Provide Comprehensive Support for Elderly Without Relatives Amendments to the Social Welfare Act and other laws were enacted on the 19th. For elderly people with no reliable relatives, prefectural social welfare councils will provide support from daily life to post-death procedures. Services will be provided free of charge or at a low cost for those with limited financial resources. 8

Damaged Male Body Found in Freezer in Kobe Apartment On the afternoon of the 20th, the damaged body of an adult male was found inside a freezer in an apartment in Chuo Ward, Kobe. The Hyogo Prefectural Police are investigating on suspicion of corpse disfigurement and abandonment. Decomposition had progressed, suggesting a significant amount of time had passed since death. 910