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COMMENTARY / Japan
May 29, 2015

Success taking a toll on LDP

The quality of the LDP's Diet members is sorely lacking, and the cause comes from the top — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan Times
JAPAN / 70 YEARS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY
Jan 2, 2015

As Abe pulls to the right, few go with him

How far has Japan shifted to the right? Is it trying to shed its legacy of postwar pacifism? Experts give their opinions on the LDP's latest moves as the new year opens.
JAPAN
Jan 2, 2015

Hashimoto aiming for May 17 referendum on Osaka integration plan

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto has called on a municipal-prefectural committee examining his plan to integrate the city of Osaka to approve it at its next meeting on Jan. 13.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 24, 2014

Shinzo Abe begins new term as prime minister, launches Cabinet

The Cabinet remains unchanged except Gen Nakatani, a former first lieutenant in the Ground Self-Defense Force, replaces scandal-hit Akinori Eto as defense minister and minister in charge of security legislation.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 24, 2014

Hashimoto makes a strategic exit, freeing up possible alignment of Ishin and DPJ

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto has dropped out of national politics, at least for now, to concentrate on his plan to integrate Osaka city and prefecture and to cease being an obstacle, he says, to a grand realignment of like-minded opposition politicians.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 24, 2014

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reappointed to role, new Cabinet expected

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was re-elected to the post in the Diet on Wednesday and was set to launch his new Cabinet later in the day.
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 21, 2014

In no-surprise poll, parties' main players re-elected in Kinki

In an election that produced no surprises, it's little wonder the biggest political names in the six prefectures that make up the Kinki region (Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara and Wakayama) were all returned to the Diet, though one or two had a close call.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2014

Controversial to the end, Shintaro Ishihara bows out of politics

Hawkish former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara officially puts an end to his nearly 50-year political career after losing his Diet seat in Sunday's Lower House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 15, 2014

Abe claims mandate for economic, security policies despite lowest turnout ever

Emerging as the big winner in the Lower House election, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declares he has a renewed mandate to keep pushing his policy agenda.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 15, 2014

Resurgent JCP has night to remember

While the leaders of most of the opposition parties were grim-faced Sunday night, the Japanese Communist Party was celebrating after it more than doubled its seats in the Lower House.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 12, 2014

Ishikawa aims to become first openly gay member of Lower House

Openly gay politician Taiga Ishikawa says that winning a Diet seat in Sunday's election would empower him to change politics and help Japanese society recognize its diversity.
EDITORIALS
Dec 12, 2014

Take the time to vote

Voter turnout Sunday for the Lower House election is forecast to be as low as it was in the 2012 race. Young people especially need to realize that, by avoiding the polls, they are losing their voice on issues that will certainly affect their future.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 10, 2014

DPJ faces uphill battle for swing voters

While the ruling coalition commands a higher number of core supporters, opposition parties are vying for swing voters in an election that is expected to see a low turnout.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 8, 2014

As opposition dithers, voters mull four more years of Abe

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's chances for becoming the nation's longest-serving leader in more than four decades are increasing as the opposition finds itself hobbled by factionalism, shifting policies and funding shortages.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 24, 2014

Baffled by snap election, voters may stay home and erode the mandate Abe seeks

Voters, puzzled as to why Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is calling an election now and unimpressed by opposition alternatives, may shun the Dec. 14 election in record numbers.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 23, 2014

LDP incumbents look to have electoral lock on nation's nuclear heartland

The political fate of Fukui's aging reactors has long been in the hands of powerful pro-nuclear Diet members, and the upcoming election is not expected to change that.
EDITORIALS
Nov 21, 2014

Opposition must get its act together

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking a vote of confidence for his "Abenomics" policies in the Dec. 14 election of the Lower House. But as the chamber was officially dissolved Friday, the opposition parties still lack a common ground beyond their unanimous criticism of Abe's economic policies as failures...
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 18, 2013

Defectors from Your Party form new opposition force

Former Your Party Secretary-General Kenu00adji Eda launches his new party with 14 fellow defectors hoping to build a viable counter to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 11, 2013

Higashikokubaru opts out of Nippon Ishin, Diet

Lower House member and ex-Miyazaki Gov. Hiu00addeo Hiu00adgau00adshiu00adkou00adkuu00adbau00adru exits Nippon Ishin no Kai and will quit as a Diet member, raising speculation that he might try to run for governor of Tokyo or seek his old job in Miyazaki.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 21, 2013

For the GOP to survive, the tea party must die

Tea party supporters think they are fighting for America's Republican soul. If they win, they will drive the party so far from the middle that a GOP president will become unimaginable.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / CLOSE-UP
Aug 31, 2013

Naoto Kan speaks out

Naoto Kan took his first steps in the world of politics around 40 years ago as a pugnacious citizen-activist, admonishing those with power as only those without it can. He likes to say he's the same man now, but of course there's an irony in that. After all, in the intervening years he acquired about...

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Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji