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EDITORIALS

Jan 26, 2007

Mr. Abe's real test

The regular Diet session, which started Thursday, will be an important test for both Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa. It is a prelude to local elections set for many parts of the country in April and to a watershed Upper House election in July.

EDITORIALS

Jan 25, 2007

Latin America makes a left turn

Upon winning a third term in office, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made a sharp left turn in his policies. Pledging to "devote my days, nights and entire life to the construction of socialism in Venezuela," the fiery nationalist has called on the legislature to give him authority to rule by decree,...

EDITORIALS

Jan 24, 2007

Winner with 'no connections'

Election of TV entertainer Mr. Sonomanma Higashi on Sunday as governor of Miyazaki shows that voters are looking for a fresh politician -- someone who has no connections with traditional political forces or vested interests. Such a sentiment among Miyazaki voters should have been strong because the election...

EDITORIALS

Jan 24, 2007

Arms race in space?

News that China destroyed one of its satellites with a ground-based ballistic missile should cause international concern since it could trigger an arms race in outer space. China is the third country to carry out such a test following the United States and the former Soviet Union, which conducted similar...

EDITORIALS

Jan 23, 2007

Halting drunk drivers

The National Police Agency's proposal to stiffen penalties for drunk driving reflects recent public demand for severer punishment of drunk drivers. At the same time, the proposal prods the public to drastically change its own attitude toward drinking and driving.

EDITORIALS

Jan 22, 2007

Popularity ebbs before battle

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition Democratic Party of Japan have held their party conventions and adopted policy programs for 2007, setting the stage for July's Upper House election, which will decide the future course of Japan. While the prelude for the watershed political battle...

EDITORIALS

Jan 21, 2007

Holding off on a rate hike

The Bank of Japan's Policy Board has decided to maintain the overnight call rate, the key short-term interest rate, at 0.25 percent -- the rate it adopted last July when it scrapped its zero interest rate policy. The final conclusion of the Policy Board's discussions last week departs somewhat from BOJ...

EDITORIALS

Jan 20, 2007

Come clean on political funds

Suspicions are growing over the use of political funds and the accuracy of mandatory reports on such funds. Specifically, the suspicions have been aroused by media reports that five Cabinet ministers and two Liberal Democratic Party executives had declared a combined 689 million yen as "office expenses"...

EDITORIALS

Jan 19, 2007

'Peko-chan' takes a powder

'Peko-chan," the popular life-size mascot for major confectioner Fujiya Co., was born in 1950. But the eternally 6-year-old girl mascot, which has charmed people for decades and was registered as a three-dimensional trademark in 1998, has been withdrawn from many cake shops because of a scandal at her...

EDITORIALS

Jan 18, 2007

Foundation for economic growth

Despite its continuous expansion, Japan's economy remains fragile. Personal consumption is sluggish and a serious gap exists in wages and other working conditions between regularly and irregularly employed workers. Major manufacturing companies may be enjoying strong performances, but that is not necessarily...

EDITORIALS

Jan 17, 2007

Success for the EAS?

The second East Asian Summit (EAS) was held a month after it was originally scheduled to convene. Delay may have served the EAS well: The leaders in attendance appear to have listened to criticism that being a talk shop is not enough, that their meetings must produce tangible results. Their new mindset...

EDITORIALS

Jan 16, 2007

Mr. Abe's bold security agenda

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office determined to transform Japan's role in the world. That goal topped the agenda of his four-nation tour of Europe last week. Mr. Abe is ambitious but he must be cautious when considering Japanese participation in multilateral security operations.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Japan's growing ranks of centenarians are redefining what it means to live in a super-aging society.

What comes after 100?

By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027

Looking ahead to Yokohama’s Green × Expo 2027

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