Jun 13, 2013

Stand down on pre-emption

Allowing Japan's Self-Defense Forces to develop the capabilities to attack military bases in enemy territory risks egging on an arms race in Northeast Asia.

Jun 13, 2013

On track for a tax increase

The Abe administration seems hellbent on raising the consumption tax starting next year regardless of whether it threatens the nation's economic recovery.

Jun 12, 2013

Mr. Obama's new security team

The two replacements to President Barack Obama's security team could well impact his decisions while underscoring women's roles in national security policy.

Jun 11, 2013

Cease promoting nuclear power

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision to move forward with the development of nuclear power technology represents his cynical disregard for the victims of the Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Jun 11, 2013

Medical treatment transparency

A proposed new system to investigate unexpected deaths at medical institutions should enhance the transparency of medical institutions, and nurture trust between citizens and medical institutions.

Jun 9, 2013

Rally against nuclear power

The government doesn't appear to pay attention either to Tokyo's antinuclear rallies or to the daily problems with the cleanup of the Fukushima disaster.

Jun 9, 2013

Anniversary of Tiananmen incident

As the 24th anniversary of the Tiananmen incident passed on June 4, the Chinese leadership under Mr. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, who became President of the People’s Republic of China just in March, remained silent. There was no ...

Jun 8, 2013

Mr. Abe's 'third arrow' misses mark

If Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's goal of boosting Japan's per capita gross national income by ¥1.5 million in 10 years sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Jun 8, 2013

Tax rule lags the technology

The National Tax Agency has said for years that people who bet on the horses cannot deduct losses from taxable winnings. Enough of that, an Osaka court rules.

Jun 7, 2013

Turkey boils over

A small protest over the decision to pave over a small park in Istanbul has grown into the most violent riots that Turkey has experienced in decades.

Jun 6, 2013

'Shock and awe' of another kind

Maybe it's just something in the air this time of year that prompts reruns of Igor Stravinsky's century-old, riotous ballet "The Rite of Spring.

Jun 5, 2013

No place for hate speech

In demonstrations repeatedly held in Tokyo’s Shin-Okubo district, home to many Korean shops and restaurants, participants have shouted threatening words such as “Kill both good and bad Koreans,” “Koreans, get out,” and “Sink them in Tokyo Bay.” They ostensibly seek to stop what they ...