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December 21, 2023
 

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Seiji Maehara (center) with other members of his new party, Free Education for All, at the parliament on Thursday
JAPAN / Politics
Seiji Maehara launches new party to unite opposition against LDP
The former foreign minister's new Free Education for All party aligns in its major policy priority with Nippon Ishin no Kai.
JAPAN / Politics
Kishida makes more LDP leadership changes in bid to restore trust
The changes come a week after he dismissed four key members of his Cabinet who were also Abe faction members suspected of receiving unreported funds.
JAPAN / Politics
Japan may make U.S. PAC-3 missiles in first weapon deal after ban
The missiles, made under license from a U.S. company, would be the first weapons to be exported in finished form from Japan after the ban is eased.
The new Japanese ambassador to China, Kenji Kanasugi, speaks during a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday after arriving at the Chinese capital earlier in the day.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 20, 2023
Japan's new China envoy vows 'tenacious' effort on Fukushima row
By Maya Kaneko
The 64-year-old envoy also pledged to strive for an early release of five Japanese nationals currently detained in China for alleged spying activities.
Senior members of the Abe faction, the largest in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, attend a fundraising event in Tokyo on May 16.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 19, 2023
LDP's Abe faction faces possible collapse under weight of scandal
Its fractured leadership and an expected exodus of members amid an unfolding political funds scandal has put its future in question.
Prosecutors head to the office of the Liberal Democratic Party faction led by former Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 19, 2023
Prosecutors search sites linked to scandal-hit LDP factions
By Eric Johnston
Prosecutors searched the biggest faction, once led by late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and another led by former LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the remarks during an interview by the state-controlled Channel One television network.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 19, 2023
Territorial disputes with Japan 'over,' Russia's top diplomat says
The remarks could suggest that Moscow will never discuss with Tokyo the issue of sovereignty over Russian-held islands off Hokkaido.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida greets Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet during their bilateral meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 18, 2023
Japan and Cambodia vow to deepen security cooperation
The two sides affirmed cooperation on getting North Korea to completely scrap its arsenal of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a summit meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community held at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 18, 2023
Kishida vows to take lead in decarbonization in Asia
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan will try to create a huge "decarbonization market" capable of attracting investment from around the world to Asia.
ASEAN leaders and their spouses release paper lanterns into the air with students from ASEAN member states during a lighting ceremony for the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 18, 2023
With China in mind, Japan expands security ties with ASEAN
By Gabriel Dominguez
At a leaders summit, the two sides agreed to deepen security ties in areas such as defense equipment and joint training and exercises.
Ten or more lawmakers of the LDP's largest faction, including former Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, may have received over ¥10 million each in kickbacks, according to the sources.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2023
Ten or more Abe faction members may have received over ¥10 million in kickbacks
Among other LDP factions, Shisuikai, led by former party Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, is also suspected of failing to report fundraising revenues .
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends the Joint Chairpersons' Press Announcement after the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2023
Kishida Cabinet support rate hits fresh low at 22% amid funds scandal
By political party, the support rate of the LDP came to 26.0%, a drop from 34.1% in the previous survey and the lowest level since December 2012.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (center) and ASEAN leaders join hands during a photo session during a summit meeting in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2023
Japan and ASEAN vow to widen cooperation after 50 years of ties
The agreement came as Tokyo bolsters alliances with the Global South to counter Beijing's growing regional influence.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during the opening session of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting at a hotel in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2023
Kishida's loss of public support may hurt Japan diplomatically
By Satoshi Iizuka
Despite pitching himself as having a major hand in world affairs, the Prime Minister's accomplishments are overshadowed by scandal in his party.
Liberal Democratic Party headquarters is seen in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2023
LDP lawmakers questioned amid fundraising scandal
The scandal has already resulted in the replacement of all four ministers belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party's largest faction.
Keiichi Ishii
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2023
Komeito demanding 'bold' reforms over LDP scandal
The party is concerned that the public is rapidly losing trust in the government due to the unfolding political funds scandal inside the LDP.
Soldiers from the Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade take part in a marine landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises on Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Nov. 19.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2023
Japan eyes record ¥7.7 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2024
Work to compile the budget is continuing without a decision on the timing of tax hikes to fund a substantial increased in defense spending.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim applaud as Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa poses with her Malaysian counterpart, Mohamad Hasan, after a signing ceremony in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2023
Japan and Malaysia sign ¥400 million maritime security aid deal
Jakarta became the third country to receive the grant under Japan's new official security assistance program.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 16, 2023
Kishida losing grip on LDP as funds scandal unfolds
As the Cabinet's approval rate continues to fall, officials and are beginning to discuss a scenario in which the prime minister is forced to step down.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the start of a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Saturday
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2023
Japan-ASEAN summit aims to advance 'security cooperation'
Japan is also expected to use the summit to push energy cooperation as it seeks to export emissions-reducing tech that critics have questioned.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Wednesday
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 15, 2023
Kishida's approval rate falls into dangerous territory amid scandal
By Kanako Takahara
The rate is the worst figure for a prime minister from the Liberal Democratic Party in more than a decade.
The support rate for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet has fallen to 17.1%.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 15, 2023
Kishida Cabinet's approval rate falls below 20% for first time
The support rate fell 4.2 percentage points from last month, rewriting a low since the LDP's return to power for a third month in a row.
Incoming Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi arrives at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 14, 2023
Kishida axes Abe faction members from government over funds scandal
By Eric Johnston and Kanako Takahara
In replacing nearly a dozen ministers and officials, the prime minister is attempting to contain the worst crisis of his administration so far.

Japan’s travel industry urges people to get their mighty passports
Japan’s passport gives visa-free entry to 192 global destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. The country lost the top spot to Singapore earlier this year, after leading the list for five straight years.
A wish list of hidden gems for Japanese literature lovers
While non-Japanese readers have in recent years been spoiled for choice when it comes to Japanese literature in translation, there is still a wealth of notable works that translators would love to see rendered into English.
Women arrested for prostitution in Shinjuku tripled in 2023
Tokyo police officers head to host clubs in the Kabukicho district in Shinjuku Ward for inspections on Friday.
Japan to partially lift ban on ride-hailing services from April
Ride-sharing apps (clockwise from bottom) Uber, Grab, Didi and Ola Cabs are seen on a smartphone display.
U.S. allies brace for high cost of defeat as Ukraine aid stalls
Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting near Moscow on Dec. 12.
A wish list of hidden gems for Japanese literature lovers
While non-Japanese readers have in recent years been spoiled for choice when it comes to Japanese literature in translation, there is still a wealth of notable works that translators would love to see rendered into English.
Women arrested for prostitution in Shinjuku tripled in 2023
Tokyo police officers head to host clubs in the Kabukicho district in Shinjuku Ward for inspections on Friday.
Japan to partially lift ban on ride-hailing services from April
Ride-sharing apps (clockwise from bottom) Uber, Grab, Didi and Ola Cabs are seen on a smartphone display.
Stablemaster Shikoroyama's lasting sumo legacy
Terao, later known as Shikoroyama, defeats yokozuna Takanohana at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka in 1995.
An oven-less Christmas ‘roast’ for your tiny Japanese kitchen
A filling, home-cooked Christmas dinner is within your reach — even among all the fried chicken and cramped kitchens throughout Japan.

Podcast

A still from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Big in Japan 2023: Anime, Murakami and The Legend of Zelda

Longform

A pair of wolves carved from wood exhibited at Mitsumine Shrine’s museum in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture
In praise of wolves
By Alex K.T. Martin

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