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<channel>
	<title>The Japan Times &#187; Ayako Mie</title>
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	<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp</link>
	<description>News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More</description>
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		<item>
		<title>Koizumi takes up post for Tohoku reconstruction</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/02/national/koizumi-takes-up-post-for-tohoku-reconstruction/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=koizumi-takes-up-post-for-tohoku-reconstruction</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/02/national/koizumi-takes-up-post-for-tohoku-reconstruction/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Oct 2013 13:34:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[reconstruction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shinjiro Koizumi]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=462804</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Shinjiro Koizumi&#8217;s appointment Monday as parliamentary secretary in charge of Tohoku&#8217;s recovery has generated much attention amid mounting criticism of the government for failing to speed up reconstruction efforts or end the radioactive water spill into the sea at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. The 32-year-old son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/02/national/koizumi-takes-up-post-for-tohoku-reconstruction/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>April to see sales tax hike, Abe confirms</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/01/national/april-to-see-sales-tax-hike-abe-confirms/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=april-to-see-sales-tax-hike-abe-confirms</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/01/national/april-to-see-sales-tax-hike-abe-confirms/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2013 13:57:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Reiji Yoshida  and Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[sales tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=462243</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Prime Minister Shinzo Abe goes ahead with raising the consumption tax while also offering a &#165;5 trillion stimulus package to offset the negative impact on consumer spending.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/01/national/april-to-see-sales-tax-hike-abe-confirms/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Abe banking on ¥5 trillion in stimulus</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/01/business/abe-banking-on-%c2%a55-trillion-in-stimulus/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=abe-banking-on-%25c2%25a55-trillion-in-stimulus</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/01/business/abe-banking-on-%c2%a55-trillion-in-stimulus/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2013 13:56:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie  and Reiji Yoshida</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[consumption tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economic stimulus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=462417</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe's future as prime minister may well depend on how well the &#165;5 trillion stimulus package cushions the economy from the tax-hike blow.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/01/business/abe-banking-on-%c2%a55-trillion-in-stimulus/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ruling bloc to put off reconstruction surcharge decision</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/30/national/ruling-bloc-to-put-off-reconstruction-surcharge-decision/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=ruling-bloc-to-put-off-reconstruction-surcharge-decision</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/30/national/ruling-bloc-to-put-off-reconstruction-surcharge-decision/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Sep 2013 14:12:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[LDP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new komeito]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reconstruction surcharge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=461905</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The ruling coalition was expected Monday evening to delay until the end of December the decision on whether to end the Tohoku reconstruction surcharge for companies a year earlier than planned, amid mounting criticism that it would not lead to wage hikes &#8212; one of the arguments in favor of the move. The ruling bloc [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/30/national/ruling-bloc-to-put-off-reconstruction-surcharge-decision/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>LDP readies measures to cushion tax hike</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/27/business/ldp-readies-measures-to-cushion-tax-hike/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=ldp-readies-measures-to-cushion-tax-hike</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/27/business/ldp-readies-measures-to-cushion-tax-hike/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Sep 2013 14:39:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[corporate tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wages]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=460940</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The ruling coalition on Friday agreed on certain parts of a &#165;5 trillion stimulus package being readied to ease the impact of the planned sales tax hike, including handouts of up to &#165;15,000 for lower income households. The package will be unveiled Tuesday, when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announces whether he will hike the sales [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/27/business/ldp-readies-measures-to-cushion-tax-hike/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Seeking to change men&#8217;s mind-sets to spur on prosperity for all Japanese</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/10/business/seeking-to-change-mens-mind-sets-to-spur-on-prosperity-for-all-japanese/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=seeking-to-change-mens-mind-sets-to-spur-on-prosperity-for-all-japanese</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/10/business/seeking-to-change-mens-mind-sets-to-spur-on-prosperity-for-all-japanese/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Sep 2013 12:03:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=453258</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When Upper House lawmaker Masako Mori became a state minister for measures for declining birthrate, gender equality and consumer affairs and food safety last December, one of the first things she did was to announce that she would promote male staff within her ministries if they take child-care leave. Mori, who is also the minister [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/10/business/seeking-to-change-mens-mind-sets-to-spur-on-prosperity-for-all-japanese/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>JET alumni advocates for Japan</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/03/national/jet-alumni-advocates-for-japan/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=jet-alumni-advocates-for-japan</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/03/national/jet-alumni-advocates-for-japan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:50:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[English-language education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japan-U.S.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JET program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[language]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=446947</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Clifton Strickler never thought of coming to Japan until he met his boss at the University of Texas while engaged in an undergraduate work-study. His boss lived in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, teaching English with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. For Strickler, the JET program sounded like a golden opportunity for adventure. But his experience [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/03/national/jet-alumni-advocates-for-japan/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Legislation bureau chief Abe&#8217;s window to collective defense</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/02/reference/legislation-bureau-chief-abes-window-to-collective-defense/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=legislation-bureau-chief-abes-window-to-collective-defense</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/02/reference/legislation-bureau-chief-abes-window-to-collective-defense/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Sep 2013 13:35:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cabinet Legislation Bureau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FYI]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=436843</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The appointment of Ichiro Komatsu as director general of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau is a step toward Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#8217;s goal of reinterpreting the Constitution so Japan can engage in collective self-defense. Komatsu, who was ambassador to France when he accepted the new post, differs from his predecessors in that he was brought in [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/02/reference/legislation-bureau-chief-abes-window-to-collective-defense/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Most on Abe&#8217;s expert panel approve plan to hike sales tax</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/31/business/most-on-abes-expert-panel-approve-plan-to-hike-sales-tax/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=most-on-abes-expert-panel-approve-plan-to-hike-sales-tax</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/31/business/most-on-abes-expert-panel-approve-plan-to-hike-sales-tax/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 Aug 2013 12:03:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Abenomics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumption tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=436158</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The government&#8217;s expert panel on the planned consumption tax hike wrapped up discussions Saturday with more than 70 percent of its members supporting the plan as it now stands, saying Japan will suffer a much bigger economic blow if the tax isn&#8217;t raised. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, before leaving Oct. 7 for a meeting of [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/31/business/most-on-abes-expert-panel-approve-plan-to-hike-sales-tax/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cabinet weighs stance if U.S. hits Syria without U.N. nod</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/30/national/cabinet-weighs-stance-if-u-s-hits-syria-without-u-n-nod/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=cabinet-weighs-stance-if-u-s-hits-syria-without-u-n-nod</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/30/national/cabinet-weighs-stance-if-u-s-hits-syria-without-u-n-nod/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Aug 2013 12:49:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[military strikes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Syria]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=436004</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#8217;s Cabinet is mulling how to respond to a possible U.S.-led military strike against Syria without authorization from the United Nations Security Council. One day after returning from a six-day trip to the Middle East, Abe on Friday instructed his ministers to collect information on an alleged chemical weapons attack by the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/30/national/cabinet-weighs-stance-if-u-s-hits-syria-without-u-n-nod/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ban shouldn&#8217;t hit Abe&#8217;s views: Suga</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/27/national/ban-shouldnt-hit-abes-views-suga/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=ban-shouldnt-hit-abes-views-suga</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/27/national/ban-shouldnt-hit-abes-views-suga/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Aug 2013 14:52:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[agression in Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ban Ki Moon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wartime history]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yoshihide Suga]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=434572</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga rebuffs criticism by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon over Japan's revisionist views of its wartime history.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/27/national/ban-shouldnt-hit-abes-views-suga/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Abe begins collecting feedback on tax hike before decision</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/26/business/abe-begins-collecting-feedback-on-tax-hike-before-decision/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=abe-begins-collecting-feedback-on-tax-hike-before-decision</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/26/business/abe-begins-collecting-feedback-on-tax-hike-before-decision/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Aug 2013 14:53:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[sales tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=434370</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A government panel kicked off a seven-day discussion Monday on whether the sales tax should be hiked next April amid concerns it could derail Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#8217;s radical efforts to end decades of deflation. Abe is soliciting opinions from 60 people ranging from university professors and business leaders to heads of non-profit organizations so [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/26/business/abe-begins-collecting-feedback-on-tax-hike-before-decision/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Reform plan no remedy for health care</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/23/business/reform-plan-no-remedy-for-health-care/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=reform-plan-no-remedy-for-health-care</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/23/business/reform-plan-no-remedy-for-health-care/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social welfare]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=433264</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Japan has been resorting to patchwork reforms over the past decade to prevent the health care system from collapsing as a rapidly graying society demands more funds from an ever-shrinking pool of tax revenue. Despite improvements, the outline of the government&#8217;s latest reform plan, approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday, is more of the same, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/23/business/reform-plan-no-remedy-for-health-care/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Foreign colleges feel globalization-excluded</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/16/national/foreign-colleges-feel-globalization-excluded/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=foreign-colleges-feel-globalization-excluded</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/16/national/foreign-colleges-feel-globalization-excluded/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Aug 2013 13:50:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Temple University]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[universities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=431029</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pursues deregulation, the &#8220;third arrow&#8221; of his &#8220;Abenomics&#8221; economic plan, Temple University&#8217;s Japan campus is closely watching to see if he will create a more favorable situation for foreign schools here by granting them the same tax perks and credits as Japanese universities, but not at the expense of individuality. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/16/national/foreign-colleges-feel-globalization-excluded/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>By omitting words, Abe speaks volumes</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/15/national/by-omitting-words-abe-speaks-volumes/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=by-omitting-words-abe-speaks-volumes</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/15/national/by-omitting-words-abe-speaks-volumes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Aug 2013 11:27:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WWII]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=430468</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed no remorse for Japan&#8217;s past military aggression in Asia and failed to pledge to never again wage war Thursday when the nation marked the 68th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, underscoring his revisionist views on history and push to amend the pacifist Constitution. Every prime minister since [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/15/national/by-omitting-words-abe-speaks-volumes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Watanabe sacks Your Party exec Eda</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/07/national/watanabe-sacks-your-party-exec-eda/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=watanabe-sacks-your-party-exec-eda</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/07/national/watanabe-sacks-your-party-exec-eda/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:43:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DPJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LDP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Your Pary]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=425691</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The upheaval in the opposition camp shows no sign of letting up, as witnessed by the Wednesday sacking of Kenji Eda as secretary-general of the 36 Diet member Your Party, a move that may divide its ranks. Amid the opposition disarray, the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc has gained momentum supported by Prime Minister [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/07/national/watanabe-sacks-your-party-exec-eda/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Upper House poll to elect officer hits snag: Votes exceed chamber&#8217;s roster</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/03/national/upper-house-poll-to-elect-officer-hits-snag-votes-exceed-chambers-roster/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=upper-house-poll-to-elect-officer-hits-snag-votes-exceed-chambers-roster</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/03/national/upper-house-poll-to-elect-officer-hits-snag-votes-exceed-chambers-roster/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Aug 2013 15:16:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Reiji Yoshida  and Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[extra vote]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upper House]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=423270</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The 240-member Upper House voted Friday for its new president and vice president, but when ballots were cast for the latter, the tally came to 243. The two positions were filled in the wake of the July 21 Upper House election, but in the initial voting for the vice president, three members apparently cast an [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/03/national/upper-house-poll-to-elect-officer-hits-snag-votes-exceed-chambers-roster/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Upper House gets first LDP president in six years</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/02/national/upper-house-gets-first-ldp-president-in-six-years/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=upper-house-gets-first-ldp-president-in-six-years</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/02/national/upper-house-gets-first-ldp-president-in-six-years/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Aug 2013 14:51:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Masaaki Yamazaki]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[president]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upper House]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=423042</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A six-day extraordinary Diet session kicked off Friday with the Upper House electing a president from the Liberal Democratic Party for the first time since 2007. It is also the first time since 2007 that the LDP-led ruling coalition has control of both chambers thanks to its landslide victory in last month&#8217;s Upper House election. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/02/national/upper-house-gets-first-ldp-president-in-six-years/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Nation&#8217;s troops long way from hitting the beaches: experts</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/01/national/nations-troops-long-way-from-hitting-the-beaches-experts-2/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=nations-troops-long-way-from-hitting-the-beaches-experts-2</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/01/national/nations-troops-long-way-from-hitting-the-beaches-experts-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Aug 2013 13:30:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie  and Mizuho Aoki</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[amphibious capability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SDF]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=422814</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Japan has taken an increasingly proactive role in defending its territory since the end of the Cold War allowed it to shift its defensive posture to address threats from North Korea and China as public memories of the war begin to fade. With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushing to revise the pacifist Constitution, Japan&#8217;s military [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/01/national/nations-troops-long-way-from-hitting-the-beaches-experts-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>DPJ lawmakers OK Hosono&#8217;s exit, move to suspend Kan</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/26/national/dpj-lawmakers-ok-hosonos-exit-move-to-suspend-kan/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=dpj-lawmakers-ok-hosonos-exit-move-to-suspend-kan</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/26/national/dpj-lawmakers-ok-hosonos-exit-move-to-suspend-kan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:28:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[DPJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Naoto Kan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[punishments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upper House election]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=419471</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Disarray in the Democratic Party of Japan continued Friday as members approved the immediate resignation of Secretary-General Goshi Hosono, in an about-face to their president&#8217;s earlier decision to keep him in the post until the end of August. The largest opposition group was also set to suspend the membership of former Prime Minister and DPJ [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/26/national/dpj-lawmakers-ok-hosonos-exit-move-to-suspend-kan/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>DPJ in disarray, faults Kan for poll disaster</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/24/national/dpj-in-disarray-faults-kan-for-poll-disaster/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=dpj-in-disarray-faults-kan-for-poll-disaster</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/24/national/dpj-in-disarray-faults-kan-for-poll-disaster/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jul 2013 14:03:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banri Kaieda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DPJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goshi Hosono]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Naoto Kan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=418264</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As bad as the drubbing was in Sunday's Upper House election, the Democratic Party of Japan faces an even bigger, not to say familiar, problem &#8212; disharmony and lack of governance. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/24/national/dpj-in-disarray-faults-kan-for-poll-disaster/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Abe not in hurry to amend Constitution</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/22/national/abe-not-in-hurry-to-amend-constitution/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=abe-not-in-hurry-to-amend-constitution</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/22/national/abe-not-in-hurry-to-amend-constitution/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:32:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[DPJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LDP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[twisted Diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upper House election]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=415836</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged Monday to stay focused on efforts to revive Japan&#8217;s moribund economy and to not aggressively pursue his goal of amending the pacifist Constitution, even though his Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito bloc now controls the Diet. Speaking to reporters a day after the LDP and New Komeito secured an Upper House [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/22/national/abe-not-in-hurry-to-amend-constitution/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>One-party rule back but Abe could blow it</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/22/national/one-party-rule-back-but-abe-could-blow-it-2/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=one-party-rule-back-but-abe-could-blow-it-2</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/22/national/one-party-rule-back-but-abe-could-blow-it-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jul 2013 15:54:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[LDP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upper House election]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=413483</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Liberal Democratic Party's sweeping Upper House election victory ends the divided Diet, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe still faces a battle in tackling vexing issues.  ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/22/national/one-party-rule-back-but-abe-could-blow-it-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Inaugural Internet campaigning not proving to be game-changer in poll</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/20/national/inaugural-internet-campaigning-not-proving-to-be-game-changer-in-poll/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=inaugural-internet-campaigning-not-proving-to-be-game-changer-in-poll</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/20/national/inaugural-internet-campaigning-not-proving-to-be-game-changer-in-poll/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:14:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Facebook]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Internet campaign]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twitter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upper House election]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=412922</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Internet won't have a major impact on the House of Councilors poll because a Liberal Democratic Party win seems certain and candidates are opting to campaign in person.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/20/national/inaugural-internet-campaigning-not-proving-to-be-game-changer-in-poll/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>&#8216;The destroyer&#8217; Ozawa slams opposition for failure to cooperate</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/17/national/the-destroyer-ozawa-slams-opposition-for-failure-to-cooperate/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-destroyer-ozawa-slams-opposition-for-failure-to-cooperate</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/17/national/the-destroyer-ozawa-slams-opposition-for-failure-to-cooperate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:52:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[FCCJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ichiro Ozawa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=411578</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With only four days before the nation goes to the polls, veteran lawmaker Ichiro Ozawa slammed the opposition camp Wednesday for failing to cooperate in the fight against the ruling bloc in the Upper House election. But Ozawa, who leads the small opposition Seikatsu no To (People&#8217;s Life Party) predicted that &#8220;a strong force&#8221; could [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/17/national/the-destroyer-ozawa-slams-opposition-for-failure-to-cooperate/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Kan sues Abe for 3/11 defamation</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/16/national/kan-sues-abe-for-311-defamation/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=kan-sues-abe-for-311-defamation</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/16/national/kan-sues-abe-for-311-defamation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:22:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[defamation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fukushima meltdown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Naoto Kan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=410866</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Former Prime Minister Naoto Kan sues Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for defamation, saying he has no grounds to accuse him of mismanaging the disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/16/national/kan-sues-abe-for-311-defamation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tech-savvy candidates hope to reach young voters via online campaigns</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/09/national/tech-savvy-candidates-hope-to-reach-young-voters-via-online-campaigns/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=tech-savvy-candidates-hope-to-reach-young-voters-via-online-campaigns</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/09/national/tech-savvy-candidates-hope-to-reach-young-voters-via-online-campaigns/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jul 2013 14:31:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[election2013]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Internet campaign]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=408116</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For Kan Suzuki, a tech-savvy Upper House member, the Internet is a powerful campaign tool that he can use to help him win a third term at a time when his party is facing so much adversity. Support for the former Keio University assistant professor has been dwindling as the embattled Democratic Party of Japan [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/09/national/tech-savvy-candidates-hope-to-reach-young-voters-via-online-campaigns/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>LDP spin team hammers voters with &#8216;Abenomics&#8217; mantra</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/04/national/ldp-spin-team-hammers-voters-with-abenomics-mantra/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=ldp-spin-team-hammers-voters-with-abenomics-mantra</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/04/national/ldp-spin-team-hammers-voters-with-abenomics-mantra/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jul 2013 13:05:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[campaign pledges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upper House election]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=405758</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Upper House election will be a test of the economic strategies being pursued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#8217;s coalition government — or so says his ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Although Japan faces problems ranging from social welfare to history disputes and national security, the LDP&#8217;s public relations machine is trying to keep the message [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/04/national/ldp-spin-team-hammers-voters-with-abenomics-mantra/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Abe aside, war apology stands: Suga</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/04/national/abe-aside-war-apology-stands-suga/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=abe-aside-war-apology-stands-suga</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/04/national/abe-aside-war-apology-stands-suga/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jul 2013 13:00:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[history]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Murayama Statement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shinzo Abe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=405743</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Thursday reaffirmed that the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe upholds the position set out by the 1995 apology issued by then-Prime Minister Tomiichii Murayama, which admits that Japan waged wars of aggression. &#8220;Prime Minister Abe&#8217;s comment yesterday is no different from his previous position,&#8221; Suga said, a day [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/04/national/abe-aside-war-apology-stands-suga/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Opposition directly attacks &#8216;Abenomics&#8217;</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/03/national/opposition-directly-attacks-abenomics/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=opposition-directly-attacks-abenomics</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/03/national/opposition-directly-attacks-abenomics/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:04:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ayako Mie</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[policy debate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upper House election]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&#038;p=405135</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Opposition parties took aim Wednesday at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#8217;s economic policies, only to give the Liberal Democratic Party chief another chance to play up his administration&#8217;s &#8220;achievements&#8221; over the last six months. &#8220;We will rectify the &#8216;twisted&#8217; Diet to bring political stability. We will also achieve tangible economic benefits,&#8221; Abe said at a debate [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/03/national/opposition-directly-attacks-abenomics/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
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