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Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 22, 2018

Heisei in perspective: Name proclamation opened new era for Japan in 1989

The Heisei Era was heralded by the announcement on Jan. 7, 1989, of its name by then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Keizo Obuchi, who solemnly displayed calligraphy of its kanji at a televised news conference.
COMMUNITY / Issues
Dec 4, 2016

Japan's Board of Audit: unlikely guardians of the Constitution?

On Nov. 7, an annual ritual of government occurred: The Board of Audit delivered its report on the results of its audit of government accounts for the previous fiscal year (April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016) to the Cabinet. The 1,123-page paper brick handed over to His Abe-ness identified billions of...
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 4, 2013

Diet reform paralyzed by hypocritical habits

Indecision is a much-criticized feature of Japanese politics. Diet sessions are rife with unproductive wrangling as the ruling and opposition camps dispute the timing of the submission of bills while avoiding constructive discussions on them.
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2006

New lineup a good indicator where policy emphasis will be

The new Cabinet lineup announced Tuesday shows where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is placing his emphasis, such as the North Korean abductions, education and various reforms, and he wants his closest allies working in those areas.
BUSINESS
Nov 1, 2005

New policy chief signals softer stance on BOJ

New economic and fiscal policy minister Kaoru Yosano indicated Monday the administration will respect the Bank of Japan's decision on when to scrap its ultraloose monetary policy.
JAPAN
Apr 29, 2004

Key ministers admit ducking pension fees

Four more Cabinet ministers, including Chief Cabinet secretary Yasuo Fukuda, and opposition leader Naoto Kan said Wednesday they failed to pay mandatory premiums for the basic pension system.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 25, 2002

Secret funds have oiled wheels for decades

The practice of using the Cabinet secretariat's discretionary funds for "Diet affairs" -- buying off both ruling camp and opposition lawmakers to ensure important legislation gets passed smoothly -- dates back decades, according to Upper House member Sadao Hirano.
JAPAN
May 8, 2001

Prime minister's policy speech

The following is a provisional translation of the policy speech given Monday by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the 151st session of the Diet:
JAPAN
May 13, 2000

Mori reports assets totaling 130 million yen

Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori owned some 130 million yen in personal and family assets as of April 5, the day his Cabinet was launched, according to government data released Friday.
JAPAN
May 10, 1999

Reform of Diet debate questioned

Staff writer
JAPAN / Politics / Outlook for 2023
Jan 2, 2023

In 2023, Kishida's political survival hangs in the balance

Kishida heads into the new year with diminished political capital, having suffered one setback after another since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's assassination in July.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 22, 2022

Kishida would be riding high except for a political misstep

By going for a unity Cabinet, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was forced to bring in members from factions that were at greater risk of being linked with the Unification Church.
JAPAN / Explainer
Sep 16, 2022

Why people are opposed to Abe's state funeral

The ceremony has drawn criticism over its legality, its cost to the taxpayer and whether it forces the public to mourn a controversial political figure.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jan 8, 2021

The need to digitalize Japanese society as a whole

Japan must take action to ensure its future digital agency doesn't get lost under the rest of the government's apparatus.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 9, 2020

What to watch for in the LDP leadership race

With Yoshihide Suga's assured victory, we now have a clearer outlook of Japan's political landscape for the next twelve months.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2020

The 'Iron Wall,' the 'prince' and the 'military geek': A look at the trio vying to lead Japan

Shigeru Ishiba, Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida are aiming to become party president — and by default, the nation's next prime minister — in the Sept. 14 election.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
May 30, 2020

Resignation raises uncomfortable questions about Japan prosecutors' powers

The public and the media cried foul because Kurokawa was seen to be sympathetic to the interests of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
U.S. President Donald Trump (center) with Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the White House on Tuesday
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 9, 2025

Trump vows no tariff extension and hardens threats on copper and drugs

The U.S. president stresses he would not offer additional extensions on country-specific levies set to now hit in early August.
A "no swimming" sign and flag are displayed on the beach at Shonan Bellmare Hiratsuka Beach Park in the city of Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Aug. 10 last year, following the issuance of emergency information on the increased risk of a huge Nankai Trough earthquake.
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2025

Japan holds first meeting on Nankai quake information guidelines review

Japan issued its first Nankai Trough emergency information in August last year following a major quake off Miyazaki Prefecture.
Voters cast their ballots for the Upper House election at a polling station in Tokyo on July 20.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 2, 2025

Japan to ramp up measures against foreign election interference

In last month's Upper House election, foreign actors were suspected to be behind the spread of disinformation on social media.
The government revised its real growth projection for fiscal year 2025 to 0.7%, down from the previous forecast of 1.2%.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2025

Japan lowers this year’s growth forecast as tariffs kick in

The downgrade partly reflects a darkening global economic outlook as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
The area around Shibuya Station in Tokyo. After the end of World War II, population concentration in the capital accelerated while other parts of Japan continue to see population declines.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 18, 2025

80 years on: Tokyo prospers while local revitalization still insufficient

Experts stress the importance of setting up a system in which industrial resources are circulated locally in order to create a sustainable society.
Japan's core machinery orders rose 3.0% in June, the first increase in three months.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 20, 2025

Japan's core machinery orders up 3.0% in June

The private-sector orders — which exclude those for ships and equipment used at power utilities — amounted to ¥941.2 billion.
Newly-elected prime minister of Nepal's interim government, Sushila Karki, and other officials observe a moment of silence on Sunday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in recent protests in Kathmandu.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 14, 2025

Young activists who toppled Nepal's government now picking new leaders

A Nepalese activist group used Discord and Instagram to mobilize deadly Gen Z–driven protests that toppled Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announces he will run in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, on Tuesday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 16, 2025

Hayashi throws hat in the ring for LDP leadership race

The chief cabinet secretary is seen as a counterbalance to the more right-leaning former economic security ministers Sanae Takaichi and Takayuki Kobayashi.

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’