'Privacy' bills passed through Lower House

The ruling three parties again used their majority forces to railroad through a bill on protection of personal information and four other related bills in the House of Representatives plenary session on May 6.

The Japanese Communist, Social Democratic, Democratic, and the Liberal parties voted against.

Taking the floor on behalf of the opposition parties, JCP Haruna Naoaki criticized the bills for enabling administrative authorities to interfere in journalism and writing activities.

Pointing out that the bills leave a loophole that enables authorities to collect personal information, including thought and medical history, Haruna demanded that the collection of sensitive information of individuals be banned.

The Japan Federation of Newspaper Workers' Unions on the same day issued a statement calling for the bills to be withdrawn, saying that they will lead to media control and violations of privacy. (end)