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Kazuaki Nagata

BUSINESS

Dec 13, 2008

Timing of sales tax hike unspecified

Faced with a Lower House election that must come by September, the struggling Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc said Friday the timing of a consumption tax hike will not be specified in its guideline for fiscal 2009 tax reforms.

JAPAN

Dec 6, 2008

Revised law removes barrier to nationality

The revised Nationality Law cleared the Diet Friday but only after lawmakers at the last minute managed to have a clause inserted to prevent what they claimed would be a surge in bogus paternal recognition cases.

JAPAN

Dec 5, 2008

Pension funding expansion faces delay

The increase in the state's funding of the basic pension system to half from one-third doesn't necessarily have to happen next April, Prime Minister Taro Aso said Thursday, indicating the hike will probably be delayed.

JAPAN

Dec 5, 2008

Politicians failing to engage youth

One of the oldest rules in politics the world over is that young people stay away in droves.

BUSINESS

Dec 4, 2008

Aso to break with Koizumi reforms

With the economy in recession and public approval ratings low, Prime Minister Taro Aso signaled Wednesday that Japan must depart from the reformist fiscal policies pursued by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his successors.

JAPAN

Dec 2, 2008

DNA center of nationality debate

With concern growing among lawmakers that amending the Nationality Law will engender false cases of paternal recognition, debate is focusing on whether DNA tests should be applied to the process of granting nationality.

JAPAN

Nov 29, 2008

Ozawa showdown low-key as gaffe-prone Aso keeps comments to himself

Outspoken Prime Minister Taro Aso may have finally learned his lesson Friday about holding his tongue.

JAPAN

Nov 27, 2008

Nationality Law tweak lacks DNA test: critics

With the revised Nationality Law expected to clear the Diet soon, some ruling party lawmakers are at the last minute claiming the amendment may spark problems, such as possibly creating a "black market" in false paternal recognition.

JAPAN

Nov 12, 2008

Tamogami ups nationalist rhetoric

Ousted Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Toshio Tamogami appeared Tuesday before the Diet and defended his contentious justification of Japan's wartime past and upped the ante by calling for the Constitution to be amended to unfetter the military and allow the nation to engage in collective...

JAPAN

Nov 4, 2008

Ozawa takes to Net to woo young

Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa made a fresh attempt Monday to appeal to young voters and Internet users, fielding questions on a Net live talk show in Tokyo ranging from his choice in underwear to Japan's claim to Takeshima.

JAPAN

Oct 27, 2008

Aso vows to cure economic woes

Self-described "manga" enthusiast Prime Minister Taro Aso returned to Tokyo's Akihabara district Sunday to deliver a speech concentrating on the economy.

JAPAN

Oct 24, 2008

Opposition now to drag feet on MSDF bill

In an apparent change of tactics, three opposition parties agreed Thursday to allow for more time to deliberate on the antiterrorism bill in the Upper House as they draft their own response to the global financial turmoil.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Oct 23, 2008

New health insurance system draws protest

Dozens of protesters outside the Diet called Wednesday for abolishment of the controversial health-care insurance system covering the "later-stage elderly" aged 75 and older.

JAPAN

Oct 20, 2008

Ozawa uses Internet show to seek out young voters

Opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa tried to present a softer public image Sunday by speaking to young people about his favorite tofu, women's fashions — and even his unrequited first love.

JAPAN

Oct 17, 2008

DPJ opts to cooperate; extra budget clears Diet

The ¥1.8 trillion fiscal 2008 extra budget aimed at easing the impact of rising oil prices cleared the Diet on Thursday with backing by the opposition-dominated Upper House.

JAPAN

Oct 16, 2008

New round of health-care deductions riles seniors

About 3 million people aged 75 or older had their health insurance premiums automatically deducted from their pension benefits for the first time Wednesday under the controversial medical system for seniors that has increasingly become a hot political topic.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 10, 2008

Morning Musume: Japan's TV talents

Hearing the buzz surrounding TV programs such as "American Idol," "The X Factor" and "Britain's Got Talent" (all originating in the U.K. but franchised internationally), it is clear that TV talent shows are booming.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 10, 2008

Potts' luck: the rise of a superstar

It's a cliche to say "don't take things for granted" or "you never know what's going to happen in life." But it sounds more convincing from the mouths of certain people.

JAPAN

Oct 9, 2008

Supplementary budget clears Lower House

The House of Representatives passed the ¥1.8 trillion supplementary budget bill Wednesday to finance an emergency economic stimulus package.

JAPAN

Oct 8, 2008

LDP info management is 'censorship,' DPJ says

The Democratic Party of Japan on Tuesday accused the Liberal Democratic Party of de facto censorship for pressing ministries to consult the ruling party before deciding whether to disclose internal documents requested by the opposition parties.

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