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A polling station is set up at the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai for the Lower House elections in October 2021. Japanese nationals living abroad have to travel to diplomatic missions that serve as polling stations to cast their votes during elections.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 30, 2024

Internet voting for Japanese abroad remains a distant prospect

Apart from the need to revise an existing law, concerns remain over the integrity of online identity verification and the confidentiality of votes.
Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi at the Prime Minister's Office Tuesday
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 14, 2024

Yamaguchi's tenure as Komeito leader may be extended

Now in his eighth term, Yamaguchi is the longest-serving chief of Komeito since the 1998 renewal of the party.
People celebrate after the second round of the French legislative elections at Place de la Republic in Paris on Sunday. Three distinct left-wing, right-wing and centrist blocs emerged from the vote.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 11, 2024

The most incredible election in French history

Three main blocs emerged from the French election. Macron not only failed to bring clarity to the country's politics, but the parties now face uneasy coalition-building.
House of Representatives lawmaker Manabu Horii, 52, quit the Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday after his offices were raided by prosecutors. He said last month that he will not run in the next Lower House election.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 18, 2024

Prosecutors raid offices of LDP lawmaker Manabu Horii

He is being investigated over allegations that he gave funeral money to voters in his constituency in Hokkaido.
Officials of the Tokyo Public Prosecutor's Office raid the office of Lower House member Manabu Horii in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, on Thursday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 22, 2024

Lawmaker Horii knew funeral money handouts were illegal: sources

Prosecutors raided Horii's offices in Tokyo and Hokkaido as well as his home, on suspicion of violating the public offices election law.
Former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba answers reporters' questions at parliament on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2024

Shigeru Ishiba remains public's favorite for next LDP leader, poll shows

In the August poll, Shigeru Ishiba was backed by 18.7% of respondents, followed by former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi with 12.5%.
Ichiro Ozawa of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 10, 2024

Former CDP heavyweight Ozawa looks to replace Izumi in next leadership race

"We should pick the best suited person to wrest power," Ozawa said, reiterating his hopes to field a candidate other than Izumi for the leadership race.
Komeito, the junior partner in Japan's ruling bloc, has begun preparations to replace Natsuo Yamaguchi as its leader, in what would be the first change in party leadership since 2009.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2024

Komeito chief Natsuo Yamaguchi set to be replaced as leader

Yamaguchi, whose term expires on Sept. 28, will likely be succeeded by Secretary-General Keiichi Ishii, in the first change in party leadership since 2009.
Tamotsu Shiiki, 58, is accused of sexually assaulting a first-year junior high school girl at a karaoke parlor in Tokyo's Kabukicho entertainment district on Aug. 20. He has denied the charge.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 11, 2024

Ex-lawmaker held over alleged sexual assault in Tokyo karaoke parlor

Tamotsu Shiiki, a former Lower House lawmaker of Nippon Ishin no Kai, denies sexually assaulting the first-year junior high school girl.
Komeito Secretary-General Keiichi Ishii
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 18, 2024

Ishii to head Komeito in first leadership change in 15 years

Keiichi Ishii will be appointed the new Komeito leader at a party convention on Sept. 28.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 6, 2024

Ishiba says LDP will not endorse some 'slush fund' lawmakers in general election

The new leader hinted that "a fair number of non-endorsements is likely" as the party looks to rebuild public trust that has eroded following the scandal.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a Lower House session on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 7, 2024

Ishiba fends off questions on endorsement of scandal-tainted LDP members

The prime minister was grilled in parliament on the extent of support the ruling party will give those implicated in a recent slush funds scandal in upcoming polls.
Hiroshi Moriyama, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has a strong influence over the administration of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 8, 2024

LDP linchpin Moriyama has big influence over Ishiba

The newly elected president took his secretary-general's advice on several key matters, including party and Cabinet appointments as well as calling a snap election.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba listens as Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda (right) speaks during a one-on-one debate in parliament on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 9, 2024

Opposition clashes with Ishiba over political reform

Political reform and the LDP slush fund scandal took center stage during the prime minister's showdown with opposition party leaders.
Of the potential candidates at present, more than 1,060 are preparing for battle in 289 single-seat constituencies.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 10, 2024

Over 1,170 people plan to seek Lower House seats

Over 1,170 people are currently planning to run in the Oct. 27 election for the House of Representatives.
New Komeito chief Keiichi Ishii gives a joint interview  at the party's headquarters in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 12, 2024

New Komeito chief targets majority as make-or-break in election

Komeito head Keiichi Ishii says maintaining at least a majority of seats in the Lower House will be the ruling bloc's goal in the Oct. 27 general election.
Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) leader Yoshihiko Noda speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 13, 2024

Amid skepticism, CDP faces once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Oct. 27 polls

The party can capitalize on dissatisfaction against the ruling Liberal Democratic Party over a recent scandal, but it must battle voters' deep-seated doubts against it.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (center) with internal affairs minister Seiichiro Murakami (left) and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. An administration with public support of under 30% is said to be in the "danger zone."
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 17, 2024

Ishiba Cabinet logs lowest initial support since 2000: Jiji poll

At 28.0%, it is the lowest starting approval rate for any administration in 24 years.
Koichi Hagiuda, former economy minister, shakes hands with his supporters in Hachioji, Tokyo, on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 18, 2024

In western Tokyo, national scandals rub up against local politics

In the Tokyo No. 24 district, the LDP is grappling with a backlash, but the opposition is struggling to capitalize on the public’s lingering dissatisfaction.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 20, 2024

LDP shaken by low public support for Ishiba Cabinet

Shigeru Ishiba had often been the top pick for the next prime minister in opinion polls but public expectations now seem to have faded.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers a campaign speech in Osaka Prefecture on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 22, 2024

Ruling and opposition parties focused on close races

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is on defense especially in urban areas due to a slush funds scandal involving the party.
Supporters of one of the candidates running for the Oct. 27 Lower House election applaud at a gathering in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, on Oct. 12.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 23, 2024

LDP-CDP battle heats up in Fukushima after rezoning

The campaign is intensifying as LDP and CDP candidates vie for votes in Koriyama, the largest city in the new constituency.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during an interview with reporters at the Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday night
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2024

Japan faces political upheaval after LDP-led coalition loses majority

The electoral rout opens up a potential path for the opposition to steer the lower chamber’s agenda if they can act cohesively.
Koichi Hagiuda thanks his supporters early Monday in Tokyo after his victory in Sunday's general election became certain.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2024

60% of 'slush fund' candidates lose in Japan Lower House poll

The severe outcome reflected renewed criticism against the LDP that arose in the final stage of the election campaign.
Nippon Ishin no Kai leader Nobuyuki Baba speaks during the party's executive meeting in Osaka on Thursday as co-leader Hirofumi Yoshimura looks on.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 1, 2024

Nippon Ishin likely to hold leadership election after poor showing at the polls

Calls for leader Nobuyuki Baba's resignation have grown following the party's poor showing in Sunday's general election.
Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tetsuo Saito arrives at Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Oct. 1.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 2, 2024

Land minister Tetsuo Saito set to lead Komeito

Saito will be picked to head the party by its leadership on Thursday, before being formally elected on Nov. 9.
Komeito chief Tetsuo Saito says the party needs to "return to where it started so as to regain power" during a news conference in Hiroshima on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 19, 2024

Komeito's clean, pacifist image fades after 60 years

Komeito has faced a conundrum in choosing between upholding its founding philosophy and staying in the coalition government.
Masafumi Tabuchi leaves Tokyo police headquarters on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 30, 2024

Defeated Japan election candidate held over promising to pay campaign staff

Paying or promising to pay campaign staff is a violation of the election law.
Hirofumi Yoshimura at a news conference in Kita-ku, Osaka, on Sunday
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 1, 2024

Nippon Ishin elects Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura as new leader

Hirofumi Yoshimura succeeds current Nippon Ishin no Kai leader Nobuyuki Baba, who decided to step down after the Lower House election.
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura is elected as Nippon Ishin no Kai's leader in the city of Osaka on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 2, 2024

New Nippon Ishin leader vows to keep distance from other parties

Hirofumi Yoshimura says the party’s strategy is to not take sides with parties in the ruling or the opposition camps.

Longform

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