The Upper House, supported by members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and one of its allies, New Party Sakigake, approved a revised bill March 20 to start a soccer lottery system that would raise funds for the promotion of athletics.

More than half the members of Minyuren, an allied opposition force, also supported the bill. But due to the controversial nature of the bill, about half the members of the Social Democratic Party -- the LDP's other non-Cabinet ally -- Komei as well as the Japanese Communist Party voted against the bill.

The opponents claim betting on J. League soccer matches could negatively influence youth. If enacted, sales of 100 yen lottery tickets would be allowed on matches starting in 2000. The maximum return would be more than 100 million yen.

The bill, proposed by a nonpartisan group of lawmakers, was immediately sent back to the Lower House for deliberations on the revisions, which include a clause stipulating that the education minister order a cease to betting if it is found to adversely affect minors.

One-third of the net profits from the lottery will be spent on the development of sports in general, including building sports facilities and training coaches. Another one-third will be used as subsidies for promotion of sports in local prefectures, and the rest will go into the state coffers, officials said.