Japan Govt. Steps Up Work On Ex - Unification Church Relief Bills
Japan's government plans to quickly draft bills that would provide relief to people who say they were financially exploited by the former Unification Church.
The religious organization is under scrutiny over its allegedly shady marketing practices and for soliciting large donations from its members.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio told the Diet on Tuesday that his government plans to submit bills to the ongoing Diet session to revise the relevant laws as soon as they are ready.
A study group of officials from the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Justice Ministry and other relevant offices was launched on Tuesday. It is expected to speed up work to draft a set of bills, including revisions to the Consumer Contract Act.
An expert panel of the Consumer Affairs Agency has recently proposed expanding the scope of citizens' rights to cancel unscrupulous contracts.
On Monday, two opposition parties presented to the Diet their own legislation to help victims of malicious marketing schemes and donation drives.
The Constitutional Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin Japan Innovation Party have asked the main governing Liberal Democratic Party to join discussions on the legislation. Diet debate is expected to intensify.