TOKYO: Japan’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed a controversial bill to crack down on people planning terrorism and other organized crime, despite concerns it threatens civil rights. Officials also say it is a prerequisite for implementing a UN treaty against Transnational Organized Crime which Japan signed in 2000. The more powerful lower house controlled by Abe’s coalition passed the bill, which now goes to the upper house, where the government enjoys a comfortable majority. The bill was revised after earlier versions were scrapped three times over the years due to concerns about content. “We can’t tolerate a surveillance society which can impact civil rights,” the association said in a statement before the lower house passed the measure.

Source: Manila Times May 23, 2017 08:48 UTC