The House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday to outlaw desecration of the national flag, with opposition parties absent in protest.
Japan's House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday to outlaw desecration of the national flag. The measure calls for up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 yen for acts that publicly damage or defile the flag in a way that arouses strong feelings of discomfort.
All opposition parties boycotted the vote to protest the ruling coalition's handling of debate. The bill was submitted jointly by the LDP, Japan Innovation Party, Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito.
Passage in the less powerful House of Councillors remains uncertain, as major opposition parties question whether the legislation violates constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression.
