TOKYO -- The Japanese parliament has been forced to delay deliberation of important bills -- legislation that would discourage overwork, allow casinos, lower the age of majority and introduce stricter controls on passive smoking -- due to the dissolution of the lower house, raising concerns their enactment may fall behind schedule.
Thursday's dissolution by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to push back the deliberation schedule of the four key bills until the Diet returns to business next year. There are not enough days remaining in the current extraordinary session, as the Diet also has to debate the fiscal 2018 budget.
