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Satoshi Sugiyama
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2021
Diet in review: Suga defensive on virus response but steadfast on Olympics
Japan's prime minister took heat from one opposition lawmaker after another during three days of question-and-answer sessions.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jan 21, 2021
Asia wonders: Can a Biden-led U.S. return to form?
The newly minted U.S. leader is looking to reassure a world wary of capricious American foreign policy during the Trump administration.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 19, 2021
Japan's new COVID-19 vaccine czar Taro Kono commits to rapid yet safe rollout
The nation is preparing to vaccinate, starting with medical workers and older people, based on hopes that Pfizer's vaccine will be approved here by mid-February.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 18, 2021
Suga vows to restore ‘safety’ and ‘hope’ amid declining approval rate
In a speech to kick off the new Diet session, Suga asked the public to trust his ability to modernize the nation and steer Japan through the COVID-19 storm.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 17, 2021
COVID-19 — and a dwindling support rate — top issues for Suga as Diet convenes
The prime minister will seek to pass key COVID-19 measures as he faces flak from opposition parties over his response to the deadly virus.
JAPAN
Jan 13, 2021
Japan to halt all business travel in new step to curb COVID-19
The government will temporarily suspend the arrangement with 11 Asian countries and regions from Thursday, effectively banning the entry of all nonresident foreign travelers.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2021
Emergency declared for Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba
The restrictions will enter into force Friday and remain in place until at least Feb. 7, only being lifted when the areas see a significant reduction in key benchmarks.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 3, 2021
Can Suga lead beyond September or is he destined to be a short-term PM?
Entering a high-stakes election year, the prime minister will be faced with a series of uphill battles over the global health crisis, his policies — and his own political fate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jan 1, 2021
Japan to play placeholder role in Asia as Biden gets his house in order
Tokyo will be particularly interested to see how the next U.S. president tackles China, trade, regional security as well as its relationships with Southeast Asia and the two Koreas.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2020
Abe apologizes at the Diet for false statements on dinner party funding
The long-running scandal has tainted the legacy of Abe's administration, corroded his credibility and cast a shadow over his successor.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2020
Suga voices regret over dinner that flouted virus guidelines
The prime minister said he is not thinking of imposing tighter restrictions on movement 'at this time' as a crucial three-week period in fighting COVID-19 ended.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 5, 2020
Suga looks beyond coronavirus pandemic, focuses on economic recovery
The prime minister elaborated on projects he is passionate about such as going carbon neutral by 2050, facilitating digitalization and lowering cell phone bills.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 4, 2020
Despite scandals, Suga achieves his goals in first Diet session as PM
The prime minister overall stayed on course to pass necessary bills and ward off criticism in relation to a science council and cherry blossom-viewing party.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 1, 2020
Putting economy first, Suga hesitant to rein in Go To Travel program
The prime minister seems to hold the view that any cure involving a loss of economic momentum would be worse than the disease.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 25, 2020
Blunt claim on Senkakus overshadows progress in China-Japan meeting
During an at times uneasy news conference in Tokyo, Beijing's foreign minister seemed determined to send a clear message over territorial disputes: China won't back down.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 24, 2020
China's Wang visits Tokyo, with bilateral ties and Biden topping agenda
Japan and China have agreed to restart business travel between the two countries later this month.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 20, 2020
Despite hopeful signs, Tokyo and Seoul miles apart on wartime labor
South Korea and especially President Moon Jae-in seem eager to patch up the fractured relations, but Japan has remained unmoved by their passionate overtures.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2020
Suga says he got Biden's backing on Senkakus in first phone talks
Suga congratulated Biden on winning last week's presidential election against incumbent Donald Trump and stressed the importance of the Japan-U.S. security alliance.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 9, 2020
After sending congratulatory note, Suga ponders his approach to Biden
Moving from Trump's impetuous style to a more conventional approach will be an abrupt change for Tokyo, which has grown accustomed to the president's mercurial manner.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 6, 2020
Suga calm in face of Diet onslaught but leaves big question unanswered
The exchanges marked the first time the prime minister's endurance had been tested by criticism in a primary legislative debate session since he became the nation's leader.

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