English name for Japan parliament's upper house to become Senate

TOKYO - The English name for the upper house in Japan's parliament will be changed to the Senate from the House of Councillors to clearly convey that its members are nationally elected lawmakers, the chamber's committee decided Thursday.

The change, decided by the upper house committee on rules and administration, is expected to be rolled out gradually. The government will be asked to revise the English name in official documents, while the wording in lawmakers' official passports and the chamber's website will be updated in stages.