National Apr 16, 2021

It’s all about China as Biden and Suga meet amid Taiwan tension

How to strike a balance between deterring China while keeping Beijing from lashing out will be a crucial issue as the two leaders seek to project a unified voice.

National | Remembering 3/11 Mar 11, 2021

Ghost towns of Fukushima remain empty after decadelong rebuild

Reconstruction efforts, from supermarkets and transport infrastructure to cutting-edge technology, have yet to entice large numbers of people to return.

National / Politics Feb 25, 2021

Only a crisis will make room for women at top of LDP, ex-minister says

While women have expressed interest in the LDP leadership, they have never marshaled the factional backing that is critical to success.

National / Politics | FOCUS Feb 9, 2021

Japan vaccine czar outshines Suga to rise as potential successor

Polls show Taro Kono is already voters’ favorite for prime minister, an ominous sign for Yoshihide Suga ahead of a party leadership vote in September.

National Feb 2, 2021

Japan should restart Go To Travel campaign in March, senior LDP official says

The remarks by Hiroshige Seko, Upper House secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, come even after a study last month indicated the campaign may have spread the coronavirus.

National / Politics Jan 28, 2021

Japan pushes back against U.K. plan to boost G7 Asia reach

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is hosting this year’s G7, has invited South Korea, India and Australia to attend the leaders’ summit in Cornwall in June.

Business | FOCUS Jan 26, 2021

The world is dangerously dependent on Taiwan for semiconductors

With carmakers including Volkswagen, Ford and Toyota forced to halt production and idle plants, Taiwan’s importance has suddenly become too big to ignore.

World / Politics Jan 19, 2021

Johnson triggers G7 fears of rival alliance to counter China

Expansion of the G7 is an idea that Japan, Italy, Germany and France oppose, according to officials familiar with those governments’ positions.

National Jan 16, 2021

Japan seeks mid-February Pfizer vaccine approval, minister says

"We need to do it as fast as possible,” health minister Norihisa Tamura said Friday. "If all goes well, I would like to see the approval in about mid-February.”