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EDITORIALS
Jun 24, 2000

Barak fights for peace on two fronts

Since taking office last year, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has battled on two fronts in the effort to finalize peace agreements with his neighbors. The obvious front involved the parties on the other side of the table: the Syrians and the Palestinians. But the other fight takes place within Israel...
JAPAN / ELECTION 2000: VOX POPULI
Jun 23, 2000

Dailies helping bureaucrats keep status quo: van Wolferen

Major Japanese newspapers are in league with bureaucrats to maintain the status quo and are the biggest obstacle to political reform, warns Dutch journalist Karel van Wolferen.
EDITORIALS
Jun 23, 2000

Russia's war against the oligarchs

There may be a new boss in the Kremlin, but the Byzantine politics that rage behind its walls continue. Recent moves against two of Russia's most prominent businessmen -- the "oligarchs" -- have kindled speculation about who is making policy and to what end. Is President Vladimir Putin cleaning up the...
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2000

Japan, EU to announce new accord

Japan and the European Union plan to issue an upgraded bilateral pact covering their relations in a wide range of fields such as politics, economics and culture at their regular bilateral summit July 19, a senior trade ministry official said Wednesday.
EDITORIALS
Jun 22, 2000

Suddenly, no more rogues

The rogue states are gone. Is the world today a safer place than it was a week ago? Not exactly. The United States has simply decreed that it is removing the phrase from its diplomatic vocabulary. But the declaration shows that the U.S. has decided to break with its stereotypes, and to see hope where...
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2000

Socialists basing campaigns on upholding the Constitution

The Social Democratic Party is upholding its longtime defense of the Constitution, especially war-renouncing Article 9, in its campaign for the June 25 Lower House election, SDP Chairwoman Takako Doi said.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2000

Yokoyama facing 18 months in prison for molesting woman

OSAKA — The Osaka District Public Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday demanded an 18-month prison term for former Osaka Gov. "Knock" Yokoyama, who was accused of molesting a 22-year-old female campaign worker during his re-election drive in April last year.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2000

Vision seen eluding campaign

The main problem voters face in Sunday's Lower House poll is that no party has presented a clear vision to address public concerns about the future, according to journalist Soichiro Tawara.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 20, 2000

New rules, old political games

Japanese go to the polls June 25 in the nation's second general election that combines single-seat constituencies and proportional representation.
EDITORIALS
Jun 19, 2000

In 'the Lion's' shadow

The death last week of Mr. Hafez Assad, the president of Syria, leaves a gaping hole in the Middle East. Mr. Assad was one of the last of the region's strongmen. He ruled Syria with an iron fist. He was an unbending defender of the Arab cause and one of the most resolute opponents of the state of Israel....
JAPAN
Jun 18, 2000

Japan needs system to handle emergencies, crisis expert says

Any government to be formed after the June 25 Lower House election should take steps to increase Japan's preparedness for natural disasters and other emergencies that could endanger national security or the lives of the citizens, said Kazuhisa Ogawa, an expert in crisis management.
JAPAN
Jun 17, 2000

Defector Hatoyama ready for fire

Liberal Democratic Party candidate Kunio Hatoyama, the younger brother of Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama, said Friday he is prepared for criticism over his decision to leave the DPJ.
JAPAN
Jun 16, 2000

Communists set to sacrifice policies in quest for change

The Japanese Communist Party will ask the people to help it revamp a political setup that has been completely warped by the Liberal Democratic Party's rule, according to JCP leader Tetsuzo Fuwa.
JAPAN
Jun 15, 2000

Stable coalition key for economy, Kanzaki says

New Komeito will campaign for the Lower House election by promising a stable coalition government that will surely bring about a full-fledged economic recovery in Japan, said party leader Takenori Kanzaki.
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2000

Asian minorities hope election spurs change: scholar

The June 25 Lower House election will test Japan's commitment to carry out reforms of its inward-looking political circles and accommodate various Asian views in the 21st century, Zhu Jianrong of Toyo Gakuen University said, noting the expectations of various non-Japanese Asians living in the country....
COMMENTARY
Jun 11, 2000

Mori casts doubt on Japanese democracy

When Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori said that Japan is a "kami no kuni" (country of the gods), it can be argued he was doing little more than expressing a personal religious belief before a group of like-minded, Shinto-supporting Diet members. U.S. media claims that he was trying revive Japanese nationalism...
JAPAN
Jun 9, 2000

6,000 attend Obuchi's funeral

Some 6,000 mourners, including dignitaries from more than 100 countries, paid their final respects Thursday to the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi at an official funeral at Nippon Budokan hall in central Tokyo.
COMMENTARY
Jun 9, 2000

Mori lands in hot water again

Gaffe-prone Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori put his foot in his mouth again, plunging his Cabinet's popularity ratings to record lows just as Japan is gearing up for a June 25 general election.
JAPAN
Jun 7, 2000

LDP's Kajiyama dies at 74

Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiroku Kajiyama died Tuesday afternoon at a Tokyo hospital, ruling Liberal Democratic Party officials said. He was 74.
JAPAN
Jun 5, 2000

More in U.S. support Japan: poll

Fewer Americans see economic and trade issues as major problems with Japan, with a record number expressing overall positive views on bilateral ties, especially in security, an opinion poll released Sunday by the Foreign Ministry indicates.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 5, 2000

Rethinking strategic partnerships in Asia

CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- Some cliches keep resurfacing in strategic jargon: Japan and the United States share the most important bilateral relationship in the world; stability in Asia-Pacific; harmony in the triangular interactions among Japan, China and the U.S. But these concepts are facing challenges....
COMMENTARY
Jun 5, 2000

The conservative's dilemma

Traditionally American voters have been given a choice between conservatism and liberalism. The Republican Party is labeled "conservative" and the Democratic Party "liberal." In Japan before 1993, when the Liberal Democratic Party lost its monopoly on power, the choice was between conservatism and socialism....
JAPAN / ELECTION 2000
Jun 3, 2000

Ruling coalition awaits voters' judgment at polls

The coming Lower House election will give voters their first chance to express their support, or lack thereof, for the tripartite coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2000

Murayama bows out with relief, memories

Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama spent Friday — his last day in politics — reminiscing about the past.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2000

Lower House dissolved for June 25 poll

Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori dissolved the Lower House on Friday and called a general election for June 25, placing the fate of his leadership in the hands of voters.
JAPAN / ELECTION 2000
Jun 3, 2000

Public spending unproductive, economist says

Masaru Kaneko, an economics professor at Hosei University, is harshly critical of the way the Liberal Democratic Party has been spending taxpayers' money on public works projects and to bail out big banks.
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2000

Kiriyenko urges isle flexibility

Japan should not set a time limit on the settlement of its territorial row with Russia so that the people of both countries can be fully satisfied with the final resolution, according to former Russian Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko.
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2000

New school brings outsiders to town

BEPPU, Oita Pref. — "A friend of mine began using some hair cream and perfume after he was asked for directions by a young lady. He is too old to attract coeds, though," chuckled Kiminori Kumada, in a leisurely local dialect.
JAPAN
May 31, 2000

Murayama gives eulogy for Obuchi in Diet

Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama offered a eulogy Tuesday in the Diet for the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, expressing his sorrow and regret over Obuchi's death earlier this month.

Longform

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Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years