Labor reform bill likely to pass Diet after accord with opposition

the ruling parties ... do not want the public thinking that the bill would be rammed through parliament without the consent of the opposition camp.

Because Japan isn't a normal democracy, where that is exactly what is supposed to happen, when there are opposing views.

The people can be assured now that the ruling and opposition parties have agreed to some extent,"

Terrible news. 

When compromises are made, it leads to bad policy being implemented.

Good policy has clear objectives, and the policy seeks to achieve those objectives in as simple and efficient way as possible. Compromises for political reasons make that harder to achieve.

The bill consists of three pillars -- setting a legal cap on overtime work, ensuring equal treatment for regular and nonregular workers, and exempting skilled professional workers with high wages from working-hour regulations.

Examine that against my definiton of good policy.

What is the objective? That in itself is not even clear.

If the goal is equal pay for equal work, why not attack the core problem which is the existence of two tiers of worker - "regular and nonregular"?

Under the plan agreed on Monday, the workers would be able to withdraw from being subject to the last item, known as the "white collar overtime exemption" and sought by business lobbies, even after they have once accepted it.

What is the point?

This is terrible policy.

If you are going to make policy, you should fix what is broken at the core, not apply a multitude of band-aids which too will later have to be ripped away when the time for true reforms finally arrives.

Japan needs big-bang reforms to fix what ails it. Not incrementalist band-aids.

Nearly 70 percent of respondents in the latest Kyodo News survey earlier this month did not see the need for passing it during the current parliament session.

That despite the article declaring this to be the Abe regime's most important agenda item this session.

If only quality people with a half a clue would run for office, things could change. But because most people in Japan don't understand how democracy is supposed to work, fat chance I'm afraid. It could be worse though, just look at Turkey. There's the silver lining!