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COMMENTARY
Mar 4, 1999

Sunshine alone isn't enough

South Korean President Kim Dae Jung's announcement of a proposed "package deal" with North Korea, put forth once again on the first anniversary of his inauguration, represents a valiant attempt to save two very important initiatives: his own constructive engagement policy with the North (also known as...
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 23, 1999

A new bridge over the Pacific revealed

Is friendship between nations possible? Can Japan and the United States be friends as the U.S. is with Canada and Britain, or are they forever destined to have a relationship that turns on a calculation of mutual advantage?
JAPAN
Aug 27, 1998

Factional politicians 'out of touch' with people, Tanaka says

Politicians must act in response to the public's will, not to power struggles with rival factions, and be held accountable for the outcome of their policies, Lower House lawmaker Makiko Tanaka said Thursday.
JAPAN
Aug 26, 1998

Return program serves as bridge for youths

Staff writer
JAPAN
Jul 16, 1998

Keizai Doyukai demands leader who can think

BY SAYURI DAIMONStaff writer
JAPAN
Jul 13, 1998

Big Business urges parties to team up, keep reforms on track

In the wake of a devastating defeat of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Sunday's Upper House election, the business community Monday called on both the LDP and opposition parties to avoid a political vacuum and join forces to aid the nation's ailing economy.
JAPAN
Jun 15, 1998

Apathy, slump may keep voters at bay, expert says

First in a series
JAPAN
Apr 20, 1998

Business lobby says Hashimoto should quit

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto should step down to take responsibility for mismanagement of the nation's economic policy, a deputy chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) said April 20.
JAPAN
Apr 17, 1998

Kan wants new DPJ to awaken voters, remove LDP

Staff writer
JAPAN
Jan 21, 1998

Three opposition parties merge to form Minseito

Three opposition parties said Wednesday they will merge Friday to form a new party with an old name in Japanese politics: Minseito, literally "Democratic Politics Party."Former Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata announced the name for the new party, to be formed by Kokumin no Koe (Voice of the People), From...
JAPAN
Jan 7, 1998

Opposition parties unite over policy, 6 trillion yen tax cuts

Six opposition parties agreed Wednesday to specific policy measures, including a call for tax cuts worth 6 trillion yen, for their planned joint parliamentary group.The leaders of the Democratic Party of Japan, Shinto Yuai (New Party Fraternity), Kokumin no Koe (Voice of the People), the Taiyo Party,...
JAPAN
Oct 20, 1997

Foreign students bring new life to traditional dances

Staff writerKimono-clad Ang Chooi Kean floats gracefully along, accompanied by 1,400 years of Japanese tradition. Performing the "kokiriko," a traditional Japanese dance, the Malaysia native, 5,300 km from home, seems an unlikely candidate to be preserving and spreading Japan's ancient arts.Ang is one...
JAPAN
Oct 6, 1997

Maverick assemblyman fights dress code, graft

MISAWA, Aomori Pref. -- The city assembly here has attracted nationwide attention, not for its legislating, but for a member who was punished for his casual attire.He claims his dressing down symbolizes his crusade against corruption. "I know it all looked like a kindergarten-level farce," said Yuki...
JAPAN
Oct 1, 1997

Hashimoto dodges Sato issue in Diet

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto dodged questions Oct. 1 over his responsibility in the failed Cabinet appointment of an ex-convict and instead repeated his reform pledge.During a Lower House plenary session, Kansei Nakano, chairman of opposition party Shinshinto's Diet Affairs Committee, urged Hashimoto...
JAPAN
Jun 18, 1997

Hosokawa finally quits party he helped found

Former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa walked away from Shinshinto on June 18, dealing a fresh blow to the already troubled leadership of party chief Ichiro Ozawa.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jun 22, 2023

Why ASEAN is key to building order in the Indo-Pacific region

Southeast Asia’s geostrategic position is clearly important, and gaining the support of the bloc's 10 members can create significant advantages for major players.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2023

Japan falls nine positions to 125th in WEF gender gap report

Women’s participation in the political arena scored particularly low, and the report comes as Yokosuka's mayor faces a backlash over discriminatory remarks about women.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 20, 2023

Backroom deals position Joko Widodo to impact Indonesia for decades

While speculation had swirled that his allies would try to help him stay in power, the president is now focused on ensuring his influence continues well after he steps down.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Women at Work
Jun 13, 2023

From Japan to the U.S. and back: Thriving as a woman in international finance

Chikako Matsumoto achieved her dream of joining the World Bank, and later returned to her home country and executive roles there.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 12, 2023

Former LDP kingmaker Mikio Aoki dies at 89

Aoki, known as the “don of the Upper House” for his influence inside and outside the LDP, served as a lawmaker in the chamber between 1986 and 2010.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 6, 2023

Debt debacle confirms what many thought of the U.S.

China is the chief beneficiary of the U.S. debt ceiling nonsense. Doubts about U.S. trustworthiness spur governments to look elsewhere for leadership and stability.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 1, 2023

LDP-Komeito spat spotlights deeper problems in political marriage

That, in turn, has raised questions about the state of their more than 20-year-old coalition, and whether the two sides will take steps to initiate a divorce.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 21, 2023

‘Quad’ urges Indo-Pacific ‘free of coercion’ as it unveils new measures

Leaders of the bloc revealed a raft of fresh initiatives but also took a veiled swipe at China in their truncated summit on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Hiroshima.
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Hiroshima G7 Summit Special
May 19, 2023

Programs help students tackle international issues

“Challenge your mind, Change our future.”  Ritsumeikan University adopted this motto in 2018 as part of its vision toward 2030. In a time when it is difficult to predict the future due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increasingly complex social and political issues, the university is determined to...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
May 11, 2023

Hopes dim for extension of IMF relief amid Pakistan’s deepening political crisis

Foreign exchange reserves in the South Asian country, currently at $4.457 billion, cover barely a month's worth of imports.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
May 11, 2023

Thailand's ex-PM Thaksin shakes up election with talk of return

If Thaksin is serious about coming home, it could complicate an expected post-election scramble by Pheu Thai to try to form a coalition with other opposition parties.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 10, 2023

Don’t forget the conservative core that churns in Japan

The outside world should not be beguiled or misled by exaggerated claims about a “new Japan.”
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 9, 2023

Kishida's Seoul visit was a positive step — at least in the short term

Fumio Kishida and Yoon Suk-yeol's meeting in Seoul required courage, political initiative and the support from all sides.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 25, 2023

Thailand’s most polarizing family rises again before election

An ousted populist’s daughter seeks office, fueling concerns that the return of a divisive political dynasty may revive instability, too.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years