A Lower House committee on Friday approved a contentious bill paving the way for Japan to legalize casinos for the first time despite persistent public criticism it will exacerbate gambling addictions and breed organized crime.
Friday¡¯s action, backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and conservative opposition party Nippon Ishin no Kai, is the latest in a litany of attempts by the ruling LDP to ram contentious bills through the extraordinary Diet session. Only a modicum of time was spent deliberating ahead of the vote. Debate kicked off on Wednesday.
Members of the opposition Democratic Party walked out of Friday¡¯s vote in protest.
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