A package of bills allowing investigators to wiretap private communications resulted from pressure from the global community calling on Japan to provide a legal framework to help efforts to crack down on international organized crime.
The bills, however, were hastily passed without much public debate in the Lower House Tuesday, prompting opponents to express grave concerns that citizens' human rights could be violated.
Drug smuggling, trafficking of firearms and entry by illegal immigrants have increased in recent years, causing serious public concern.
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