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Anti-terror bill enacted

Jun 15, 2017 (NHK) - Japan's Diet has enacted a bill criminalizing the act of plotting terror attacks and other organized crimes.

All members of a group involved in planning a serious crime would be held responsible if the authorities determine that at least one of them is preparing for it.

The government says the law is necessary to beef up security before Tokyo hosts the Olympics and Paralympics in 2020.

The bill skipped the committee stage, going straight to a vote at the plenary session of the Upper House.

Opposition parties accused the governing bloc of steamrolling the legislative process.

They had tried to block a vote on the bill with a non-confidence motion, but that was voted down.

Then, the controversial bill received majority approval by the coalition partners --the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito -- as well as Nippon Isshin and other lawmakers on Thursday morning.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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