Photo/Illutration Donning a mask, a protester holds a sign that reads, “I protest the revision of the Public Prosecutors Office Law” outside the Diet building on the night of May 13. (Toshiyuki Hayashi)

In a sudden twist of events, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party caved into a demand by the opposition bloc, pledging on May 14 that the justice minister will attend Diet committee debate on the revision of the prosecutor law.

But the LDP is nonetheless still poised to have the bill that will revise the Public Prosecutors Office Law approved at the Lower House Cabinet Committee on May 15, after resuming debate earlier in the day.

The bill has drawn heavy fire, not only from opposition parties but also from the public, because it is seen as an attempt by the Abe administration to control prosecutors by granting delayed retirement to those friendly to government leaders.

The discussion at the committee was suspended on the afternoon of May 13, after opposition lawmakers stormed out of the meeting following replies from Ryota Takeda, a minister for civil service reforms, that failed to meet their expectations.

The opposition bloc had demanded Justice Minister Masako Mori, who has oversight of prosecutors’ offices, attend the committee session. But the LDP had rejected that and insisted Takeda was the right person to answer questions from lawmakers, as the revision bill concerning prosecutors was bundled with other legislation aiming to reform the public service system.

The revision of the Public Prosecutors Office Law would delay the mandatory retirement age to 65 from the current 63.

The revision bill also proposes prosecutors in top positions step down from their posts when they turn 63. But a proposed special provision will allow them to remain in those positions for up to three more years if the government decides so. 

Critics and opposition parties argue the legislation will erode the separation of powers, and the neutrality and independence of prosecutors.

When asked at the May 13 committee session, Takeda said there are currently no guidelines set for using the special provision.

“There are no operational rules compiled now, but we will announce them before the legislation goes into force” on April 1, 2022, he said.

Opposition parties are united in demanding the deletion of the special provision.

Heads of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Democratic Party for the People, the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party all agreed on May 13 they should collectively press the LDP, which is sponsoring the bill.

Protesters against the revision bill gathered on the night of May 13 outside the Diet building to make their objections visible. 

They kept a safe distance from each other to avoid spreading the novel coronavirus and refrained from shouting slogans.

Wearing face masks, they instead hoisted signs that read, “Do not steamroll the bill” and “You are a thief at a fire,” suggesting the government is taking unfair advantage of a moment of suffering.

Critics accuse the Abe administration of prioritizing the revision bill for Diet debate when lawmakers should be focusing on the fight against the coronavirus.

Related News