On Dec. 5, the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito strong-armed the House of Councillors special committee on national security into a vote on the special secrets protection bill. The legislation -- with amendments that do little to dispel grave concerns that surround it -- was passed by the committee, and the ruling coalition remains hell-bent on having the bill made law during the current Diet session.On Dec. 5, the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito strong-armed the House of Councillors special committee on national security into a vote on the special secrets protection bill. The legislation -- with amendments that do little to dispel grave concerns that surround it -- was passed by the committee, and the ruling coalition remains hell-bent on having the bill made law during the current Diet session.