Search - proportional-representation

 
 
EDITORIALS
Feb 28, 2016

DPJ needs more than just a merger

The merger between the Democratic Party of Japan and Ishin no To won't mean anything if the new force doesn't come up with ways to engage voters.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 22, 2016

South Carolina puts history on Trump's side

Trump's win in South Carolina shows he commands such a fervent following that episodes that would undo conventional candidates don't hurt him.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 14, 2016

Panel calls for cuts in Lower House seats, reallocation of others to correct vote-value disparities

The reform would rectify gaps in the weight of votes between constituencies, and also cut the total number of seats to a postwar low of 465.
EDITORIALS
Dec 8, 2015

Alliance must make sense to voters

Votes won't support opposition party alliances that are based solely on political expediency.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Dec 5, 2015

Done right, moral education could be a good thing

The Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is enacting another one of the conservatives' long-standing policy desires by reintroducing moral education in secondary schools from 2018.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 24, 2015

Upper House electoral districts set for historic postwar shake-up to end election 'unconstitutionality'

The bill, jointly submitted by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and four opposition parties, rectifies sharp gaps in the weight of votes among a number of constituencies.
EDITORIALS
Jul 14, 2015

Insufficient electoral reform effort

In enacting electoral reforms, the LDP needs to put voters' constitutional rights ahead of its own interests.
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.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’