Japan's Lower House has begun discussions on a bill that would impose imprisonment or fines on those who publicly deface the flag in ways that cause the public to feel extremely uncomfortable or disgusted.
The bill targets public acts of defacing the Hinomaru that provoke strong public discomfort or disgust.
Discussions started on June 24, 2026.
Several parties may be involved, though specifics remain limited at this stage.
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The Japanese government approved an 8.56 trillion yen stopgap budget on March 27 to fund operations for the first 11 days of fiscal 2026 starting April 1, due to stalled upper house deliberations on the main 122.31 trillion yen budget passed by the lower house earlier this month. This is the first such provisional measure in 11 years, backed by ruling and main opposition parties, and expected to pass parliament on March 30.
Support from the opposition Democratic Party for the People is expected to allow a bill criminalizing vandalism of Japan's national flag to pass the upper house of the Diet.
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Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is split over a Japan Innovation Party (JIP) proposal to criminalize desecration of the national flag. Some LDP members call for passing a bill in the current Diet session, while others voice concerns about freedom of expression.
Emperor Naruhito said on Thursday that he hopes for a solution on securing imperial family members that gains the understanding of the people. He spoke at a press conference at the Imperial Palace ahead of visits to the Netherlands and Belgium.
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