Nov 21, 2012

Hashimoto lifts his party’s ban on taking corporate contributions

Bowing to pressure from those around him, Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto announced Tuesday that the ban by Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) on accepting money from corporations and organizations has been lifted, apparently in consideration for new members, including Shintaro Ishihara. “We ...

Hashimoto, Ishihara merge parties

Nov 18, 2012

Hashimoto, Ishihara merge parties

Against expectations and despite fundamental policy differences, Osaka Mayor and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) head Toru Hashimoto and former Tokyo Gov. and Taiyo no To (The Sunshine Party) leader Shintaro Ishihara merged their parties Saturday, creating a third force in Japanese ...

Nov 17, 2012

Ishihara merger looks likely: Hashimoto

Osaka Mayor and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) head Toru Hashimoto indicated Friday evening that a merger with former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara’s Taiyo no To (The Sunrise Party) is almost a done deal. Hashimoto also said it is his understanding that ...

Nov 16, 2012

Ishihara-Kawamura tieup rattles Hashimoto

Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) head Toru Hashimoto expressed criticism and disappointment Thursday over an agreement between former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara’s Taiyo no To (The Sunrise Party) and Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura’s Genzei Nippon (Tax Reduction Japan) to unite ahead of ...

Hashimoto leaves the fate of new party up to voters

Nov 15, 2012

Hashimoto leaves the fate of new party up to voters

With the Lower House now likely to be dissolved Friday, Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto said Wednesday the time for making new campaign plans for his party is over and it’s up to voters to decide. “There’s no point in talking about whether can or ...

Nov 13, 2012

Hashimoto stuns ‘addled’ nuke foes

Hiroshima municipal officials and the Japan Congress Against A and H Bombs (Gensuikin) were mum Monday over Saturday’s comment by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto calling for a reality check on the nation’s three nonnuclear principles. The two sides said they have no plans to ...

Nov 9, 2012

Communities key to preserving World Heritage

The World Heritage Convention concluded a three-day gathering Thursday by stressing that communities should be fully involved in the management and conservation of the sites the group designates, including activities to reduce the risks from man-made disasters and climate change. The emphasis on giving ...

Nov 9, 2012

Hashimoto mulls teaming up with Ishihara’s new party

Despite fundamental differences in policy and continued doubts about how voters would react, Osaka Mayor and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) head Toru Hashimoto has indicated a tieup with former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara might occur. “I can’t exclude the possibility” of ...

| Nov 8, 2012

Pending issues: Japan’s isle rows, Futenma, TPP

Dealing with tensions between Japan and its East Asian neighbors, resolving the long-stalled relocation of the U.S. Futenma base, negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade deal, and promoting nuclear power while Japan looks to phase it out are just some of the bilateral issues U.S. ...

Nov 6, 2012

Fault check at Oi plant hit for lack of findings

The failure of a Nuclear Regulation Authority panel to conclude Sunday whether a fault underneath the Oi nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture is active has created concern and alarm in Fukui and neighboring prefectures. Panel head Kunihiko Shimazaki told reporters the fault dates from ...