Jan 31, 2012

Japan's pension problem

In its manifesto for the 2009 Lower House election, the Democratic Party of Japan proposed introducing a minimum monthly pension of ¥70,000 or more. In their recent outline for tax and social welfare reforms, the government and the party only stated that they will ...

Jan 27, 2012

Criticism without originality

The Liberal Democratic Party on Jan. 22 held a party convention in Tokyo. LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki said that this year is the time to end the Democratic Party of Japan government. The problem is that while the LDP is strong at criticizing the ...

Jan 10, 2012

Improving medical services

The government decided on Dec. 21 to raise fees for medical services by 0.004 percent and those for nursing care services for elderly people by 1.2 percent in fiscal 2012. Medical fees are revised every second year and nursing care fees every third year. ...

Jan 7, 2012

Bumpy road ahead for Mr. Noda

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, at a new year news conference Jan. 4, expressed his determination to push a two-stage raise of the consumption tax as well as to reform the social welfare system, and called for the opposition forces to join consultations with his ...

Dec 30, 2010

Mr. Ozawa's new move

Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, former chief of the Democratic Party of Japan, on Tuesday agreed to appear before the Lower House’s Council on Political Ethics and give unsworn testimony over political funds scandals. His decision, ostensibly for the sake of “party unity,” came too late. ...