Japan ruling parties approve bill to punish desecration of national flag
Quick Look
- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai have approved a bill to punish acts such as desecrating the national flag.
- The bill, which aims to impose penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 yen, will be submitted to the Diet soon, with the aim of passing it during the current session.
- The LDP is seeking support from other parties, including Sanseito and the Democratic Party for the People, as the Upper House remains a minority ruling party.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai have approved a bill to punish acts such as desecrating the Japanese national flag. The bill will be submitted to the Diet soon, with the aim of passing it during the current session. The LDP is seeking support from other parties.
自民党と日本維新の会は10日の与党政策責任者会議で、日本国旗の損壊行為などを処罰する法案を了承し、与党審査を終えた。近く国会提出し、今国会での成立を目指す。参院が少数与党にとどまる中、自民は参政党や国民民主党などへ法案説明と賛同を呼びかけており、賛成会派が増えるかが焦点となる。
法案の名称は「国旗の損壊等の処罰に関する法律案」。①人に著しく不快または嫌悪の情を催させるような方法で、公然と国旗を損壊、除去、汚損する②その状況を撮影した者が電子データを不特定多数に提供、公然と陳列する――場合に処罰対象となり、2年以下の拘禁刑または20万円以下の罰金を科す。
法案について、自民は映画など芸術的表現は「社会通念上、相当と認められるものは対象外と考えられる」などとして抑制的な規定にしたと強調しているが、処罰範囲の不明確さを指摘する意見もある。自民の小林鷹之政調会長は10日の会議冒頭で、「できる限り丁寧に幅広い合意を得られるよう、力を合わせていければと思っている」と述べた。【鈴木悟、東久保逸夫】
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The bill will be submitted to the Diet.
Very likely · Within days
The bill will be passed during the current Diet session.
Possible · Within weeks
Other parties will express support for the bill.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the bill pass the Diet during the current session?
- Will other parties, such as Sanseito and the Democratic Party for the People, support the bill?
- How will the "socially acceptable" exception for artistic expression be interpreted in practice?
- What are the specific circumstances that would lead to prosecution under this law?
