A protester holds a placard to protest against a controversial state secrecy bill in front of the Diet of Japan in Tokyo on Dec. 6, 2013. A special Diet committee on Thursday approved a controversial state secrecy bill, with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) coalition coming one step closer to having the bill enacted in the Upper House on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Tian)

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Japan's upper house panel passes controversial secrecy bill, eyeing final vote Friday

TOKYO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A special Diet committee on Thursday approved a controversial state secrecy bill, with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) coalition coming one step closer to having the bill enacted in the Upper House on Friday.

Deliberations in the committee meeting were heated, with opposition parties remaining staunchly opposed to the bill's passage that will grant the government more authority to dish out tougher penalties to those leaking sensitive secrets pertaining to diplomacy, defense and the state's involvement in counterterrorism and counterespionage activities. Full story

Osaka mayor discontent against current debate on secrecy bill

OSAKA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, also co- leader of the opposition Japan Restoration Party, expressed discontent on Thursday against the ongoing debate over the state secrecy bill, emphasizing concerns over a lack of lawmakers' discussion on the bill.

Hashimoto told reporters in the Osaka City Hall that since the debate between the ruling and opposition parties on the state secrecy bill is not done on the same wavelength, it is too early in any case for the current administration to pass the bill by force. Full story