Controversial package

The opposition-controlled House of Councilors approved a budget bill that excluded a government plan to give the public two trillion yen (22 billion dollars) in a bid to kick start spending.
But the 4.79 trillion yen budget will eventually be enacted as the decision of the more powerful House of Representatives will prevail in line with constitutional provisions.
The lower house passed the extra budget and related bills Jan. 13 with the backing of the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito party.
The opposition parties are expected to pass the bill to amend the extra budget, removing the two trillion yen allotted for the cash handout plan.
The bill is expected to gain approval from the upper house but face disapproval in the lower house, which the ruling parties control.

Investment promotion

After meetings with Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and State Minister Hassan Mahmud, Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty told reporters here that the agreements are likely to be signed during Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Dhaka on Feb. 8-9.
Pinak said the three-year bilateral trade agreement between the two countries will expire in March this year and it would be renewed.
Secondly, he said the investment promotion and protection agreement would be required since there is a trend that the investment flow will take place from either side.
Pinak also said the Indian side expects greater cooperation with Bangladesh in security matter to jointly tackle terrorism and insurgency.