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October 23, 2025
 

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The appointment of seven scandal-hit lawmakers to government posts, approved after the launch of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet, may draw criticism.
JAPAN / Politics
Seven LDP slush fund lawmakers given government posts
The move may draw criticism, as public sentiment on the scandal remains strong.
JAPAN / Politics
Polls show Takaichi Cabinet off to strong start with support for policy stance
Approval ratings were found to be especially high among younger generations and those in the Osaka and Nagoya regions.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Japan joins over 80 nations to have been led by women since WWII
While Takaichi's rise to power is a milestone for the nation, some caution it does not necessarily signal a broader advance in women's political standing in Japan.
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi and Japan Innovation Party (JIP) leader Hirofumi Yoshimura sign a policy agreement between the two parties at the Diet in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 23, 2025
The newly formed LDP-JIP coalition may not be as solid as it seems
By Eric Johnston
The Japan Innovation Party’s insistence on passing a seat-reducing measure could prove to be a sticking point in the relationship.
A Japanese-style teacup featuring a caricature of new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, on Wednesday in the city of Toki, Gifu Prefecture
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 23, 2025
Orders surge for popular caricature teacups featuring Takaichi
Preorders for the Takaichi teacup, which will also show past Japanese prime ministers, surpassed 4,000 even before she was sworn in.
Since medical and nursing care services are offered at fixed prices set by the state, many service providers are struggling to cope with rapid inflation and are operating at a loss.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 23, 2025
Balancing medical services and costs will be major challenge for Takaichi
With services offered at fixed prices set by the state, many service providers are struggling to cope with rapid inflation and are operating at a loss.
Takaichi, surrounded by LDP influencers
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 22, 2025
In pictures: The day Japan’s glass ceiling finally cracked
By Johan Brooks
Scenes from the day Sanae Takaichi made history as Japan’s first female prime minister, winning a tense parliamentary vote and forming a Cabinet of “resolve and progress.”
Shinjiro Koizumi — son of a former prime minister and rival to the current one — was appointed defense chief after falling short in his bid for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency earlier this month.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 22, 2025
For three key Cabinet posts, Takaichi turns to an eclectic trio
By Jesse Johnson
The prime minister’s picks for Japan’s new defense, foreign and economic security ministers are not your typical stodgy line-up.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi poses with members of the newly formed Cabinet on Tuesday night.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 22, 2025
Japan's first female PM promised more women in her Cabinet. She picked two.
By Yukana Inoue
Takaichi appointed just two women to her 18-member Cabinet on Tuesday, despite promising high levels of female representation earlier.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her inaugural news conference as Japanese leader late Tuesday, called South Korea an “important neighbor" and a “vital partner.”
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 22, 2025
Takaichi seeks to dispel fears Seoul-Tokyo ties could falter under her government
By Himari Semans
The prime minister has called South Korea an “important neighbor" and a “vital partner” in addressing challenges confronting the international community.
Keiichi Ichikawa, who served as assistant chief cabinet secretary in charge of diplomacy under former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, has been appointed as secretary-general of the National Security Secretariat.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 22, 2025
Keiichi Ichikawa named head of Japan's National Security Secretariat
The former assistant chief cabinet secretary replaces Masataka Okano who assumed the post in January.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi reacts to applauding lawmakers after being elected prime minister at the Lower House on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 21, 2025
Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Monday’s coalition agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party made her ascent to the nation's top post all but certain.
Minoru Kihara (second from left) attends a Lower House plenary session on Tuesday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 21, 2025
Who is Minoru Kihara, Takaichi’s new 'cool-headed' spokesman?
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
The former defense minister has many things in common with Japan’s first female prime minister.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi, who was elected prime minister on Tuesday, holds up a policy agreement with Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura after signing the deal at parliament in Tokyo a day earlier.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 21, 2025
On defense policy, Japan's new ruling bloc packs a lot of punch
By Jesse Johnson
The LDP and Japan Innovation Party aim to revise key security documents while eliminating curbs on exporting lethal defense gear and building up Japan’s defense industrial base.
Former senior U.N. official Kiyotaka Akasaka speaks during a news conference in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 21, 2025
Japan needs quasi-permanent seat on U.N. Security Council, says ex-official
China's influence is growing in global affairs, former senior U.N. official Kiyotaka Akasaka added, emphasizing the need for Japan to play a more active role.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit Japan for three days from Oct. 27.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 21, 2025
Trump confirms plan to visit Japan after trip to Malaysia
The U.S. president is expected to visit Japan for three days from Oct. 27 after visiting Malaysia, where the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will hold a summit.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (right) reaches out to shake hands with Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura after signing a coalition deal Monday evening in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 20, 2025
Path clears for Takaichi to become PM as LDP and JIP agree to form coalition
By Himari Semans, Gabriele Ninivaggi and Kanako Takahara
The tie-up is expected to see Japan Innovation Party lawmakers vote for LDP President Sanae Takaichi in Tuesday’s parliamentary vote for prime minister.
Ito Mayor Maki Takubo stumps for a candidate in Sunday's city assembly election during campaigning on Oct. 12.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 20, 2025
Ito mayor likely to lose job as opponents dominate city assembly
Almost all have expressed their intentions to support a second no-confidence motion against Mayor Maki Takubo over the falsification of her education background.
Then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issues a statement on the 50th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15, 1995. Murayama died on Friday at the age of 101.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 20, 2025
China's Xi mourns death of ex-PM Murayama
The Chinese president offered his condolences in a message sent to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sunday.
A visitor makes his way to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on the first day of its annual autumn festival on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 20, 2025
Takaichi skips Yasukuni visit during autumn festival
With a vote on the next prime minister set for Tuesday, the new LDP president apparently took into account the possibility that any visit could adversely impact foreign affairs.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai have agreed to form a coalition, paving the way for the country's first female prime minister, Kyodo reports.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 19, 2025
LDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai to form coalition government, report says
The ruling party's Sanae Takaichi, and Hirofumi Yoshimura, head of the smaller right-leaning group, are set to formalize their alliance on Monday.
Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama delivers a speech during a rally in Tokyo in July 2015.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 18, 2025
Tributes pour in for former PM Murayama after his death
Mizuho Fukushima, leader of the Social Democratic Party, which succeeded Murayam's Japan Socialist Party, told reporters that Murayama was "like a guardian angel."
Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, attends a news conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo on Oct. 4.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 18, 2025
Japan's fractured politics could ensnarl Takaichi's economic plans
By Makiko Yamazaki and Leika Kihara
Sanae Takaichi may have found the political support she needs to become Japan's next prime minister — but the new cross-party alliances come with risks.

Rare female yakuza walks path to redemption in Japan
Retired yakuza Mako Nishimura sorts fallen leaves during a clean-up activity at the Gifu Gokoku shrine in Gifu Prefecture on Sept. 28.
Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi reacts to applauding lawmakers after being elected prime minister at the Lower House on Tuesday.
Japanese man sentenced to eight years after rare public accusation of rape
Riho Fukuyama (center) and her husband Yoshiki Fukuyama (left) speak to the media with their lawyer (right) outside the Toyama District Court in Toyama on Tuesday.
Woman arrested for pepper spray assault on Yamanote Line
Emergency vehicles arrive at the JR Otsuka Station in Tokyo Monday following a report that a woman had allegedly injured passengers with pepper spray inside a train on the Yamanote Line.
North Korea fires off ballistic missiles one day after Takaichi named PM
People watch a TV news report about North Korean short-range ballistic missile launches, at the main railway station in Seoul on Wednesday.
London exhibition perhaps sumo's most successful trip abroad
With the recent sumo jaunt to London being essentially a goodwill exercise, <i>rikishi</i> were far more outgoing and relaxed than normal.
Japan's first female PM promised more women in her Cabinet. She picked two.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi poses with members of the newly formed Cabinet on Tuesday night.
Nakatsu keeps its cool as gentrification looms
Shunsuke Takahashi, owner of the cafe Hood by Vargas, says the Osaka neighborhood of Nakatsu feels brighter and calmer with the influx of new businesses.
Who is Minoru Kihara, Takaichi’s new 'cool-headed' spokesman?
Minoru Kihara (second from left) attends a Lower House plenary session on Tuesday in Tokyo.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.
By Thu-Huong Ha and Mike Fu

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