Japan Lower House OKs Retrial System Reform Bill

Japan's House of Representatives has passed a bill to revamp the country's retrial system. The bill, approved by a majority vote, prohibits prosecutors' appeals against court decisions to initiate retrials, except in exceptional cases with sufficient grounds. The bill also includes provisions for the disclosure of prosecutors' evidence lists and a ban on the use of evidence for purposes other than those intended. The government-sponsored bill is expected to be enacted within the current Diet session ending on July 17 after clearing the House of Councillors.