Mar 2, 2013

Mr. Abe's plan for Japan

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday delivered his second policy speech during the current Diet session. He started his speech with the phrase “a strong Japan.” He seems to have strong attachment to the word “strong.” At the outset of his speech, he said ...

Feb 7, 2013

'Abenomic' hopes and fears

by Shinji Fukukawa

“Abenomics” is now a buzzword at home and abroad. Even before taking office, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had strongly demanded that the Bank of Japan take action to end deflation and set an inflation target that would drive the yen lower. He had gone ...

Feb 1, 2013

Not the way to reform education

As for "resuscitating" education, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears more interested in nurturing children who will help Japan achieve its national goals.

Jan 30, 2013

Mr. Abe's strategy

A s the 150-day ordinary Diet session kicked off Monday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered his first policy speech since becoming prime minister following the Liberal Democratic Party’s victory in the Dec. 16 Lower House election. He said Japan is facing crises with regard ...

Jan 22, 2013

'Abenomics' out of the gate

by Kevin Rafferty

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would do well to consult professor Noriko Hama of Doshisha University. Asked by The Japan Times what the country needs, she replied in feisty fashion: “The three things Japan should do in 2013 are raise wages, raise interest rates — ...

Jan 19, 2013

Waste undermines reconstruction

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared that he will scrap the ¥19 trillion cap the Democratic Party of Japan government had set on the reconstruction budget for areas devastated by the 3/11 triple disasters. He is intent on boosting the image of his administration ...