Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
Politics & Diplomacy Jul 16, 2013
Abe casts absentee vote, heads to Okinawa to stump for LDP
Ever on the stump in the run-up to Sunday’s judgment day, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe cast absentee ballots for the Upper House election in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on Tuesday before heading to Okinawa to continue his country-crossing campaigning for fellow Liberal Democratic Party candidates. ...
National Jul 11, 2013
Did late No. 1 plant head avert or facilitate nuclear crisis?
When Masao Yoshida met reporters from major media outlets for the first time on Dec. 12, 2011, the then-chief manager of the Fukushima No. 1 plant left a strange impression on those present. Yoshida remained calm and quiet throughout the joint interview, although he ...
Politics & Diplomacy | Making Their Case Jul 5, 2013
Whatever LDP stands for, we don't: Ozawa
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic policies cater to big business at the expense of the people and will only widen the wealth disparity between rich and poor, Seikatsu no To (People’s Life Party) President Ichiro Ozawa said in a recent interview. “You need to ...
Politics & Diplomacy | GAME OF NUMBERS Jul 4, 2013
Abe camp faces little true opposition, also little mandate
As one expert has it, the July 21 Upper House poll looks to be a cakewalk for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc.
Politics & Diplomacy | Making Their Case Jul 3, 2013
Your Party stands against tax hike, nuclear plants
Your Party will stress its call to freeze the upcoming consumption tax hike and promise to abolish all nuclear power plants by 2030 when the campaign for the Upper House officially starts Thursday, party leader Yoshimi Watanabe said. “We’d like to say to voters, ...
Politics & Diplomacy Jul 1, 2013
Japan envoys among U.S. 'spy targets'
Tokyo will "strongly demand" an explanation from Washington about reports that Japanese diplomats in the U.S. were "targets" of American spying, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga says.
Politics & Diplomacy Jun 29, 2013
Opposition slams ruling bloc on jobs deregulation
Major party leaders held their first online debate Friday ahead of the July 21 Upper House election, with opposition chiefs voicing concern that ruling bloc-proposed employment deregulation may further worsen the working conditions of younger generations. Opposition leaders also raised concerns over Japan’s planned ...
Politics & Diplomacy Jun 28, 2013
Nippon Ishin pledges to 'clarify historical facts'
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) unveils policy pledges for the Upper House election next month, including a promise to push for decentralization of government power and revise the postwar Constitution.
Politics & Diplomacy Jun 27, 2013
Abe hopeful ruling bloc juggernaut cleans up in Upper House poll in July
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed Wednesday to ensure the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc recaptures control of the Upper House in the July election, bringing an end to the divided Diet. Boasting the achievements of his “Abenomics” economic policies, which, other than the ...
Politics & Diplomacy | ANALYSIS Jun 27, 2013
Abe closes out uneventful legislative session unscathed
This year’s 150-day Diet session closed Wednesday in turmoil as opposition parties started blocking deliberation procedures and submitted a censure motion against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in an apparent effort to show off their presence ahead of the Upper House election next month. In ...
National Jun 25, 2013
Tritium samples in sea near No. 1 jump
The density of radioactive tritium in samples of seawater from near the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant doubled over 10 days to hit a record 1,100 becquerels per liter, possibly indicating contaminated groundwater is seeping into the Pacific Ocean.
National Jun 22, 2013
Brazil's Rousseff cancels Japan visit
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff will postpone her planned visit to Japan due to the mass protests breaking out in dozens of cities around her nation, officials in Tokyo said Friday. Rousseff’s trip was scheduled to run from next Wednesday to Friday and included talks ...