A proposed ban on indoor smoking is likely to be postponed, as the health ministry and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party could not work out their differences in time to submit a bill in the current Diet session.
The health ministry tried to submit the bill banning smoking in all restaurants, with small bars and similar establishments exempted. But the LDP demanded more relaxed rules. They argue that a ban would hurt small businesses.
The ministry wants to allow exceptions only during a transition period of a few years, after which time smoking would be banned everywhere in principle.
Meetings between health minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki and LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Toshimitsu Motegi failed to narrow the gap.
