Japan's Parliament Set to Open Ordinary Session on January 24

The Japanese government has announced that the ordinary session of parliament will commence on January 24. This decision was communicated by Junichi Ishii, the chief of Diet affairs for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), to Yoshitaka Saito, his counterpart from the main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), during their meeting.

The upcoming ordinary session is scheduled to last for 150 days, concluding on June 22. The opening day will feature four significant speeches from the government, including a policy address delivered by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Following the initial speeches, question-and-answer sessions are planned for January 27 through January 29.

On January 16, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi is expected to formally present the government's agenda at executive meetings of the steering committees for both chambers of the Diet.

During this session, the government intends to submit a total of 59 bills, which will encompass various legislative proposals, including one aimed at implementing active cyber defense strategies. This proposed legislation focuses on proactive measures to prevent potential cyberattacks, as highlighted by Ishii during his discussion with Saito.

In addition to these legislative plans, officials from the LDP and CDP reached an agreement to hold another hearing on January 20 concerning a political funds scandal linked to LDP factions. This hearing will involve two lawmakers formerly associated with a faction previously led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.