The Upper House passed the measure into law following an all-night debate marred by brawls and an opposition party boycott of the vote.

Designed to save the pension system from insolvency, the legislation cuts benefits and hikes pension premiums in stages beginning in October and continuing until 2017.

Opposition parties delayed the vote for more than 18 hours using a range of stalling tactics, causing frayed tempers that at one point erupted into a brawl outside the Upper House chamber.

The opposition bloc hopes to capitalize on voter objections to the law when half the seats in the Upper House are contested July 11. Opinion surveys show some 70 percent of voters oppose the new measure.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 12, 2004
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