Japan's plans to make Tokyo "smoke free" ahead of the Olympic Games "hit a fresh roadblock" as lawmakers remain deadlocked over a bill to ban the use of cigarettes in indoor public spaces after a "backlash from the nation's restaurant industry." The health ministry's bill, which "aims to restrict smoking in public places such as schools, hospitals, government buildings, bars and restaurants," is opposed by about 90% of the lawmakers in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. They argue it "would put bars and restaurants out of business" (BLOOMBERG, 4/25).
The IOC announced the composition of the IOC commissions for '17, marked by an increase of 70% in female participation since Sept. '13. The commissions also reflect a broader geographical representation and include a number of new faces. IOC President Thomas Bach significantly increased the number of women appointed to a commission since his election, with 38% of places now taken by women -- a historic high. In '17, 29 more positions are held by women across the 26 IOC commissions than in '16, and female members are present on each of them (IOC).