National Oct 25, 2020

U.N. nuke ban treaty to enter effect Jan. 22, heaping pressure on Japan to join

Tokyo has so far resisted domestic and international calls to join, saying a pact without the participation of nuclear powers was not practical.

National / Social Issues | FYI Oct 21, 2020

Japan looks to clamp down on illicit outflow of famous food products

Seeds being sold abroad without permission represents threat to intellectual property rights, but opposition says LDP's bill would simply hurt Japan's farmers.

National / Politics | FOCUS Oct 19, 2020

Could reform mission put Taro Kono on path to succeed Suga?

Driving reforms is giving the media- and social media-savvy 57-year-old the opportunity to raise his political profile by playing to his strengths. Will it be enough?

National / Politics | View from Osaka Oct 17, 2020

Osaka merger would affect residents and outsiders alike

The planned move to merge the city's administrative wards could give officials more freedom to attract tourists and businesses.

National / Social Issues | FYI Oct 13, 2020

Controversy over bids to host nuclear waste highlights disposal issue

Two municipalities in Hokkaido have applied to the first stage of the process to build final disposal sites for nuclear waste, but the moves have prompted opposition.

National / Reference | FYI Oct 13, 2020

Referendum a pivotal moment for Osaka and its politicians

On Nov. 1, the city's residents will be asked whether to merge Osaka's 24 wards into just four.

National / Reference | FYI Oct 6, 2020

Suga's rejection of nominees to top advisory body prompts calls for reform

The way the council chooses its members has prompted criticism and calls for reform from supporters and opponents of Suga's decision.

National Oct 1, 2020

Tourism sector balances hopes and concerns as Tokyo joins Go To Travel

While the capital is a major source of domestic tourism for many areas, it is also the source of about 30 percent of Japan's coronavirus cases.

National / Social Issues Oct 1, 2020

COVID-19 presents crucial moment for gender diversity in Japan

With the pandemic changing the way we work, the International Conference for Women in Business says women must now be brought to the fore.

National / Reference | FYI Sep 27, 2020

A closer look at the LDP lawmakers who support Suga

Yoshihide Suga became prime minister because he was able to secure the support of the most powerful formal faction leaders in the Liberal Democratic Party, whose members voted for him over rivals Fumio Kishida and Shigeru Ishiba, who also lead their own factions. But ...