Extension of Diet Session to Pass Sub-capital Bill, Three Laws Including Imperial House Law Enacted

Diet Session Extended by 8 Days Until 25th, Aiming to Pass Sub-capital Bill On the 17th, the ruling party passed a resolution in the House of Representatives plenary session to extend the Diet session from the 17th to the 25th. With no prospects for deliberation of the Sub-capital Bill in the House of Councillors, the extension aims to secure its passage. On the 24th, an intensive deliberation of the Budget Committee with Prime Minister Takaichi is also scheduled. 123

Revised Imperial House Law Enacted, Female Emperor Not Allowed On the 17th, the bill to amend the Imperial House Law, which allows adoption of male-line male descendants from former imperial branches and allows female imperial family members to retain their status after marriage, was passed and enacted in a plenary session of the House of Councillors. However, a female emperor is still not permitted, and there is strong opposition from opposition parties and public opinion. 4567

Flag Desecration Crime Enacted, Concerns Over Free Speech The 'flag desecration crime,' which penalizes acts of insulting the national flag, was enacted on the 17th in a plenary session of the House of Councillors. While promoted by Prime Minister Takaichi, experts have pointed out the possibility of unconstitutionality, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and others opposed it. 8

Retrial System Reform Bill Enacted, Limits on Prosecution Appeals A bill to revise the Criminal Procedure Law and reform the retrial system was enacted on the 17th. It is expected to promote relief for wrongful convictions by, in principle, prohibiting prosecutorial appeals against decisions to initiate retrials and mandating evidence disclosure. 9

Conclusion on Consumption Tax Reduction Postponed to Early August Regarding the reduction of the consumption tax rate on food and beverages, the bipartisan National Council on Social Security has given up on reaching a consensus and will present both the ruling party's proposal (reduction to 1%) and the opposition party's proposal (cash handouts). In the basic policy guidelines, the government will stipulate a decision 'by early August.' 1011

Law Banning Implantation of Genome-Edited Embryos Enacted, Penalties Imprisonment To prevent the birth of 'designer babies' using gene editing technology, a law prohibiting the implantation of genome-edited fertilized eggs into the uterus was enacted on the 17th. Violators face up to 10 years in prison or fines of up to 10 million yen. 12