[JURIST] The Grand Bench (en banc panel) of the Supreme Court of Japan [official website, English version] ruled Wednesday that a clause of the country's Public Offices Election Law restricting the voting rights of Japanese nationals living abroad is unconstitutional. The court determined that the legislature was negligent in passing the mesaure and ordered the Japanese government to pay 60,000 yen ($544 US) to the 15 plaintiffs bringing the suit for not being permitted to vote in the October 1996 general election. Under the ruling, the Japanese legislature is required to revise the law prior the next election. The decision marks the first time that the high court has found Japanese legislature to be negligent. From Japan, Mainichi Daily News has local coverage.