JIP Seeks Extension of Diet Session to Enact Key Bills

Tokyo, June 15 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Innovation Party, the junior member of the ruling coalition, on Monday requested an extension of the current Diet session if key coalition-backed bills are not expected to be enacted by the July 17 end of the session. The request was made at a meeting of JIP officials, including Secretary-General Hiroshi Nakatsuka, and officials from its coalition partner, the Liberal Democratic Party, including Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki. The LDP side emphasized its commitment to passing by the end of the current session key bills including those to reduce the number of seats in the House of Representatives and establish a second capital system. Nakatsuka also called for the enactment of bills to revise the Imperial House Law and criminalize vandalism of the Japanese flag. “We joined the ruling coalition to realize our policy goals,” Nakatsuka told reporters after the meeting. “If necessary, discussions should continue by even extending the session.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]