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JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 28, 2022

Kishida's slow action on scandal-tainted minister highlights PM's weakness

The prime minister's decision to replace Kenya Akiba was delayed by the leader's dismal public approval ratings and shaky support within his ruling party.
JAPAN
Dec 22, 2022

A controversy forces Tokyo to define 'public park'

A plan to redevelop the capital's Meiji Jingu Gaien park and its sporting venues has drawn ire from people who want the area's trees to be spared.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 10, 2022

Kishida's tax hike plan to cover defense shortfall draws backlash inside LDP

The blowback to Kishida's plan came to a head at an LDP Policy Research Council meeting, where about 40 of over 50 participants who spoke opposed the plan.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 9, 2022

One year into tenure, CDP chief Kenta Izumi struggling with poor public support

The main opposition party's support ratings have remained below 10% in many opinion polls, falling far behind the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 4, 2022

Komeito wary of Unification Church issue ahead of local races

Supported largely by lay Buddhist group Soka Gakkai, the party fears that increased public attention on ties between politics and religion could harm its electoral chances.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Nov 23, 2022

Reconstruction minister to face grilling over scandal as calls grow for Cabinet reshuffle

Three other Cabinet ministers have fallen like dominoes in the past few weeks amid a series of resignations, and some believe that forcing Akiba out could deal a final blow to the Cabinet.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 11, 2022

G20 leaders set for high-stakes summit amid war, rivalries and food insecurity

From food and energy insecurity to the Sino-U.S. rivalry and the war in Ukraine, Group of Twenty leaders will have their work cut out for them when they meet next week in Indonesia.
JAPAN
Nov 10, 2022

Justice minister’s death row gaffe marks another blow for Kishida

The minister made remarks widely interpreted as making light of his responsibility to authorize executions of death row inmates.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 4, 2022

EU studies use of Russian central bank assets to rebuild Ukraine

The discussions are at an early stage and legal experts have been recently tasked with looking into possible options, sources said.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2022

Japan's ruling parties may seek to extend parliament to pass key bills

The potential extension comes as the Kishida administration faces criticism over poor communication between the Prime Minister's Office and an LDP committee.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2022

LDP heavyweight Toshimitsu Motegi seen as solidifying foothold in his party faction

With approval ratings for the Cabinet plunging, some LDP members speculate that Motegi — regarded by some as a possible successor to Kishida — is trying to increase his presence.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 11, 2022

How California’s bullet train went off the rails

The state has accelerated the pace of construction on starter rails, but at the current spending rate of $1.8 million a day, the train could not be completed in this century.
JAPAN
Sep 22, 2022

Lawmakers' attendance at Abe state funeral largely split along party lines

While most are making their decision based on their party's relationship with the late politician, there are individual exceptions in both the ruling and opposition parties.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 22, 2022

Iran protests spread as death toll rises

The demonstrations erupted over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old from Iranian Kurdistan who was arrested in Tehran for 'unsuitable attire.'
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 20, 2022

Lessons for the LDP from Okinawa's gubernatorial election

The LDP had better get its house in order if it wants to even begin to reverse the trend of opposition-supported candidates winning office in Okinawa.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 20, 2022

China-led security grouping is an empty vessel no more

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is becoming an alternative to the existing global order and one the West needs to take more seriously.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Women at Work
Sep 20, 2022

Working with a belief that art has the power to change the world

First as curator and now as director of the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, Mami Kataoka has aimed to shape a society that respects individuals by using contemporary art as her medium.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 9, 2022

Okinawa governor race lacks steam as U.S. base issue fades

Candidates are speaking less about the relocation of a U.S. base within the prefecture, and are talking more about issues like the economy.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 31, 2022

Mikhail Gorbachev, reformist Soviet leader, dies at 91

Adopting principles of glasnost and perestroika, he weighed the legacy of seven decades of Communist rule and set a new course, presiding over the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Aug 26, 2022

Arrest over alleged bribery could be final whistle on career of Japan's sporting event ace

Since organizing a 1977 soccer event featuring Pele, Haruyuki Takahashi has been a towering figure in the sports business world.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Aug 17, 2022

U.N. action to isolate Russia wanes almost six months into Ukraine war

'As the war has dragged on, it has become harder to find meaningful ways to penalize Russia,' said Richard Gowan, U.N. director at the independent International Crisis Group.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Aug 16, 2022

FIFA suspends Indian soccer federation due to third-party influence

The decision by the sport's governing body means that the scheduled U-17 Women's World Cup may need to be relocated or postponed.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 11, 2022

Futenma base biggest issue in Okinawa governor race

The Japanese government is working to move the Futenma base, now in a congested area in Ginowan, to the Henoko coastal district in the city of Nago.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Aug 11, 2022

How Shinzo Abe left a legacy for Japan in geoeconomics

As well as being instrumental in the establishment of the 'Quad' grouping, Abe was key to Japan's work on setting up the CPTPP trade agreement.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Aug 7, 2022

FIFA reminds India of looming ban and loss of women's U-17 World Cup

If attempts to resolve governance issues at the All Indian Football Federation do not succeed, soccer's governing body may strip the country of the prestigious women's youth tournament.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Aug 4, 2022

What role should Japan play as the Russia-Ukraine war shakes the international order?

Executives of the Asia Pacific Initiative discuss the part Tokyo should play as Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches six months.

Longform

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