Domestic News Flash ·
Deputy Capital Bill Passes Lower House; Outlook Uncertain in Upper House as Ruling Coalition Lacks Majority
On the 15th, the Deputy Capital Bill passed the House of Representatives, but in the House of Councillors the ruling coalition fell short of a majority, making its enactment by the end of the Diet session on the 17th uncertain. Prime Minister Takaichi, in a party leaders' debate, asked the National Council on Social Security to reach a conclusion on a consumption tax reduction by early August, and also announced the formulation of a population strategy that includes numerical targets for accepting foreigners. Separately, a system failure at Nichirei disrupted the frozen food supply chain, and at a hospital in Chiba, a midwife was arrested on suspicion of murder by mixing feces into an intravenous drip.
9 sources2 min read
Deputy Capital Bill Passes Lower House; Upper House Passage in Focus as Ruling Coalition Loses Majority The bill was passed with the approval of the Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), and Team Mirai. The Democratic Party for the People opposed it. In the Upper House, the combined seats of these three parties are two short of a majority, making it unclear whether the bill will be enacted by the end of the session on the 17th, and the ruling party is considering extending the session. 12
Prime Minister Requests Conclusion on Consumption Tax Reduction by Early August from National Council, Denies Defamation Video Allegations In the party leaders' debate on the 15th, Prime Minister Takaichi indicated that if the National Council on Social Security reaches a conclusion by early August on the bipartisan proposal to reduce the consumption tax on food and beverages to 1%, it would be possible to submit it to an extraordinary Diet session in the autumn. She also expressed her intention to formulate a population strategy including numerical targets for accepting foreign nationals, in response to a request from Mr. Kamiya of Sanseitō (Participation Party). Regarding allegations of defamation videos, she said, "I have absolutely no recollection," completely denying them. 34567
Frozen Food Supply Chain Disrupted by Nichirei System Failure, Major Restaurant Chains Also Out of Stock A system failure caused by unauthorized access to Nichirei has halted shipments of frozen foods and operations of refrigerated warehouses. Kentucky Fried Chicken temporarily closed some stores, and shortages have occurred at Kura Sushi and Aeon-affiliated supermarkets. There is no prospect of recovery. 8
Midwife Arrested for Mixing Feces into Hospitalized Patient's IV, Killing Them In January, Chiba Prefectural Police arrested Miyuki Furukawa, a midwife working at a hospital in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, on suspicion of murder for allegedly mixing feces into a hospitalized patient's intravenous drip, causing the patient's death. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be multiple organ failure due to sepsis. Security camera footage confirmed the suspect entering and leaving the patient's room, and the prefectural police believe she committed the act. 9
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