Full-scale confrontation between ruling and opposition parties, leading to Diet deliberation boycott

Five opposition parties boycott deliberations over forced referral of seat reduction and sub-capital bills Despite the absence of opposition parties, the House Steering Committee on the 26th referred the seat reduction bill and the sub-capital bill to respective committees. The five opposition parties, including the Centrist Reform Coalition, criticized this as an 'outrage' and agreed not to participate in any House plenary or committee deliberations. They have also refused to coordinate schedules in the House of Councillors, expanding the ruling-opposition conflict across the Diet. 12

Flag desecration crime bill passes House committee, set to pass during current Diet session The flag desecration punishment bill, submitted by the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan Innovation Party, Democratic Party for the People, and Seikansha Party, was passed by the House Cabinet Committee. The bill imposes up to two years of imprisonment for publicly damaging the Japanese flag. It is considered certain to pass during the current Diet session. 34

SNS election bill passes House plenary, strengthening countermeasures against disinformation Amendments to the Public Offices Election Act and the Information Distribution Platform Act, which include measures against SNS disinformation during election periods, were passed by the House plenary session. These amendments mandate warning labels on AI-generated videos and images. They are expected to pass during the current Diet session and take effect before next spring's unified local elections. 5

Revised law establishing numerical standards for dangerous driving causing death or injury enacted The revised Automobile Driving Death and Injury Punishment Act, which introduces numerical standards for speed and alcohol levels in applying the crime of dangerous driving causing death or injury, was passed and enacted in the House plenary session. Requirements such as exceeding speed limits by 50–60 km/h or more and breath alcohol concentration of 0.5 mg or more have been clarified. The bereaved family of a fatal accident in Oita involving a speed of 194 km/h praised this as a 'major step forward'. 67

Centrist, Constitutional Democratic, and Komeito parties agree to set up consultation body for three-party merger Centrist Reform Coalition leader Ogawa, Constitutional Democratic Party leader Mizuoka, and Komeito party leader Takeya held a party leader meeting and agreed to establish a consultation body centered on secretaries-general to discuss a three-party merger ahead of the next House of Representatives election. Starting next week, organizational and policy issues will be discussed, but differences remain over the merits and timing of the merger.

Ministry of Justice disposes of documents related to retrial review, sparking controversy It has been revealed that the Ministry of Justice disposed of documents related to the Liberal Democratic Party's preliminary review of the Criminal Procedure Code amendment concerning retrial system reform, categorizing them as documents with a retention period of less than one year. Justice Minister Hiraguchi explained that this was 'in accordance with the law,' but criticism is expected to grow over the difficulty of verifying the decision-making process for important legislation.

Actor Nijiro Murakami referred to prosecutors on suspicion of assault It has been reported that actor Nijiro Murakami (29) was referred to prosecutors by the Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of assault for punching a woman he was dating at the time two years ago, causing serious injuries. The woman consulted authorities earlier this year, leading to an investigation. 8

Chief secretary to Chief Cabinet Secretary Mogi effectively dismissed amid reports of affair and unauthorized travel The government announced on the 26th that it would replace Mogi's Chief Cabinet Secretary's chief secretary, effective the 30th. A monthly magazine had reported that during his time at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, he repeatedly engaged in unauthorized travel, including calling a woman he was having an affair with to a publicly funded hotel. This is seen as an effective dismissal. 9