Prime Minister Shinzo Abe¡¯s ruling coalition pushed a bill through the Lower House on Thursday that the government says will represent the biggest shake-up of Japan¡¯s labor laws in its postwar history, brushing off criticism from the opposition that it risks worsening the nation¡¯s entrenched problem of °ì²¹°ù¨²õ³ó¾± (death from overwork).
One of Abe¡¯s main priorities for this Diet session, the bill is a comprehensive legal package that the government claims will slash overwork, increase wages for nonregular workers and achieve a more flexible work style.
The legislation ¡ª backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito pair and conservative opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai ¡ª cleared the plenary session of the Lower House and will be sent to the Upper House for further deliberation.
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