Politics & Diplomacy
Hashimoto to retract sex suggestion for U.S. military
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto aims to retract his remark that U.S. servicemen in Okinawa should use the local adult entertainment industry to avoid committing sex crimes.
National | IN WITH THE NEW Jul 17, 2003
Maverick Suginami mayor likes to stir things up
by Sayuri Daimon
Until Hiroshi Yamada took control of Tokyo’s Suginami Ward in April 1999, local government activity proceeded at a predictably slow pace. Ward officials would never have dreamed of taking the initiative in introducing new policies ahead of other municipalities. “We had never considered being ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Jul 3, 2003
For security realists, Ishiba a breath of clear air
by Nao Shimoyachi
Since becoming Defense Agency chief, Shigeru Ishiba has not been shy about rocking the boat. Although often called hawkish and neoconservative, a term likened to American hardliners, people who feel Japan’s defense policy is not realistic hail him as one of the new-generation lawmakers ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Jun 19, 2003
DPJ security advocate bridges internal, LDP gaps
by Reiji Yoshida
When the Democratic Party of Japan suffered a serious rift earlier this year over contentious war-contingency bills, the fate of the nation’s largest opposition force hinged on Seiji Maehara, the DPJ’s security policy chief. The bills in question were forged by the government and ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Jun 19, 2003
DPJ security advocate bridges internal, LDP gaps
by Reiji Yoshida
When the Democratic Party of Japan suffered a serious rift earlier this year over contentious war-contingency bills, the fate of the nation’s largest opposition force hinged on Seiji Maehara, the DPJ’s security policy chief. The bills in question were forged by the government and ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Jun 19, 2003
DPJ security advocate bridges internal, LDP gaps
by Reiji Yoshida
When the Democratic Party of Japan suffered a serious rift earlier this year over contentious war-contingency bills, the fate of the nation’s largest opposition force hinged on Seiji Maehara, the DPJ’s security policy chief. The bills in question were forged by the government and ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Jun 5, 2003
Noda now a force in her own right -- and name
by Junko Takahashi
Seiko Noda, a Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker in the House of Representatives, wrote in her elementary school composition class that her dream was to become a politician — and ultimately prime minister. Born into a political family, Noda embarked on that career at age ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Jun 5, 2003
Noda now a force in her own right -- and name
by Junko Takahashi
Seiko Noda, a Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker in the House of Representatives, wrote in her elementary school composition class that her dream was to become a politician — and ultimately prime minister. Born into a political family, Noda embarked on that career at age ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Jun 5, 2003
Noda now a force in her own right -- and name
by Junko Takahashi
Seiko Noda, a Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker in the House of Representatives, wrote in her elementary school composition class that her dream was to become a politician — and ultimately prime minister. Born into a political family, Noda embarked on that career at age ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Apr 24, 2003
DPJ's Noda intent on pursuing noble cause in Diet
by Reiji Yoshida
Before Yoshihiko Noda took over as Diet affairs chief of the Democratic Party of Japan in December, his early morning weekday schedule was set in stone. For 17 years, the Chiba-based lawmaker delivered marathon speeches at town squares in front of local railway stations. ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Apr 10, 2003
Japan needs spine to stand up, cut its losers: Koike
by Eric Johnston
ITAMI, Hyogo Pref. — While many Japanese politicians claim knowledge of or interest in Middle Eastern affairs, few if any can match the credentials of Lower House member Yuriko Koike of the Liberal Democratic Party. The 51-year-old Koike attended Cairo University and has worked ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Mar 13, 2003
Edano didn't need family name, cash to enter Diet
by Reiji Yoshida
What is the quickest, most common way to become a politician in Japan? Be born into a political family and have lots of money to spread around. Simple statistics back this up. About one third of the 353 lawmakers in the Liberal Democratic Party ...
National | IN WITH THE NEW Feb 28, 2003
Ex-BOJ man hopes to wield LDP clout as reformer
by Sayuri Daimon
A glance at his Web site can tell you quite a lot about his position. In a recent “Yasuhisa’s monologue” on the site, Yasuhisa Shiozaki, 52, a lawmaker in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, bashed the Financial Service Agency’s proposal to let ailing insurance ...