Congressional Functions Halt Due to Ruling Party's Strong-Arm Tactics; Five Opposition Parties Refuse Deliberation

LDP Forcibly Begins Deliberations on Seat Reduction Bill; Five Opposition Parties Refuse Deliberation After the ruling party forcibly referred the bill to the committee using its authority in the House Steering Committee, the five opposition parties confirmed their policy of not responding to any deliberations. Prime Minister Takaichi is reluctant to attend intensive discussions or party leader debates, leading to a serious stalemate in the final stage of the Diet session. 12

Flag Desecration Crime Bill Passes House Cabinet Committee, Set to Be Enacted in Current Diet Session The bill submitted by four parties—LDP, Ishin, Democratic Party for the People, and Sanseito—passed with a majority. The Centrist Party and the Communist Party opposed it. A supplementary resolution indicates that political expressions, etc., will not be subject to punishment. 3

Election SNS Countermeasures Bill Passes House, Requires Operators to Take Measures Against False Information A bill to strengthen measures against false information on SNS during election campaigns was passed at the House plenary session on the 26th. The creation of new penalties was shelved. It is expected to be enacted in the current Diet session. 4

Centrist Party, CDP, and Komeito Agree to Set Up Consultative Body for Three-Party Merger The three party leaders met and will start secretary-general-level talks from next week. They aim for an early merger, but there are cautious opinions within the CDP. 56

LDP Joint Meeting Approves Imperial Household Law Amendment Bill, To Be Submitted to Diet To secure the number of imperial family members, an amendment bill centered on maintaining the status of female imperial family members and adopting male-line male descendants from former imperial houses was approved within the LDP. The government aims to submit it to the Diet as early as possible. 7

Double Typhoons Nos. 7 and 8 Successively Approach Kanto, Record Heavy Rain Causes Flooding and Landslides Typhoons Nos. 7 and 8 successively approached the Kanto region on the 27th, causing river flooding and landslides in various places. Train suspensions and flight cancellations also occurred one after another, greatly affecting transportation. 89

Water Pipe Break in Kamakura City Leaves About 10,000 Households Without Water Early on the 28th, a water pipe joint came loose in Jomyoji, Kamakura City, causing a large-scale water leak. About 10,000 households are without water, and the city and prefecture are providing emergency water supply. 10

高市首相がIAEAグロッシ氏と面談、イラン核問題で連携確認 26日、首相官邸で面談。首相は福島処理水放出へのIAEA協力に謝意を示すとともに、イランや北朝鮮の核問題での協力を確認した。