Search - local-elections

 
 
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 15, 2019

Could merger talks finally produce a credible opposition force in Japan?

With the close of the extraordinary Diet session on Dec. 9, some of the largest opposition parties once again entered talks about merging before year's end, with an eye toward increasing their seats in the next general election. Here's a look at the talks and what they might mean for Japan's political...
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 11, 2019

Amazon's $1.5 million political gambit backfires in Seattle City Council election

Seattle voters, in a rebuke to heavy corporate campaign spending by Amazon.com, have kept progressives firmly in control of their city council, reviving chances for a tax on big businesses that the tech giant helped fend off last year.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 30, 2019

Afghan polls set to see big drop in voter numbers amid Taliban threat and lack of interest

At least 2.2 million people voted in Afghanistan's presidential election with more votes to come, the election commission head Maulana Abdullah said on Sunday, indicating a very low turnout that could mar the result.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Aug 22, 2019

Trump's snub of Denmark over Greenland shows disregard for a model U.S. ally

President Donald Trump is coming to Europe. And not for the first time, he has embarrassed a U.S. ally and reached out to Russia's Vladimir Putin before even boarding a plane.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 21, 2019

Japan's opposition parties score upset in Akita but lose in Fukushima

Shizuka Terata, an independent jointly backed by four opposition parties, scored a major upset in the Upper House race in Akita Prefecture on Sunday by defeating incumbent Matsuji Nakaizumi of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Kyodo News said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Dec 15, 2018

From G20 to 2025 Expo, many challenges lay ahead for Kansai

In the moments after Osaka was awarded the 2025 World Expo on the early morning of Nov. 24, there was jubilation, back-slapping, and wide smiles. More than a few eyes glittered at the thought of what senior business leaders hoped would be a major cash cow. You could almost hear the clicking of soroban...
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Oct 19, 2018

Trump threatens to send military, shut border as swelling U.S.-bound migrant caravan heads for Mexico

President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military and close the southern U.S. border on Thursday as Hondurans and Salvadorans joined thousands of migrants in Guatemala hoping to travel north.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 19, 2018

Taliban takes credit as bodyguard kills top Afghan police chief; U.S. general unhurt

Gen. Abdul Razeq, one of Afghanistan's most powerful security commanders, was killed on Thursday in a shooting attack by a bodyguard that dealt a severe blow to the Afghan government ahead of parliamentary elections on Saturday, officials said.
EDITORIALS
Oct 1, 2018

Pursue dialogue to resolve Henoko relocation standoff

Okinawa's new governor and the national government should instead dialogue to explore a way out of the standoff over the relocation of the Futenma base functions to Henoko.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Sep 26, 2018

WHO extremely concerned about Ebola 'perfect storm' in war-ravaged Congo, fear spread to Uganda

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday an Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo could worsen rapidly because of attacks by armed groups, community resistance and the geographic spread of the disease.
BUSINESS
Aug 30, 2018

China's 'Silicon Valley' threatens to swallow up Hong Kong

The completion of one of the world's longest bridges stands as the biggest monument to China's success in reuniting its colonial-era concessions.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Aug 19, 2018

As Duterte support begins to flag, Philippine leader's daughter reaches out to a Marcos

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte thinks political dynasties are bad. But the way the prevailing political winds are blowing, it looks like a dynasty of his own might be taking shape.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 27, 2018

Untangling Japan's curious support for Cambodia's 'undemocratic' election

As democracies across the globe distance themselves from Cambodia's general election, widely slammed as a sham, Japan has conspicuously gone out of its way to recognize it. Its apparent motive: win back the heart of Prime Minister Hun Sen as the Cambodian leader cozies up to China.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 12, 2018

Libyan forces seen entering final stage in battle to capture Derna

Forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Hifter said their campaign against an armed coalition of local fighters and Islamists in the eastern city of Derna has reached its final stages after several days of heavy fighting.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 1, 2018

Fighting seen raging in Libya's Derna, including Egyptian airstrikes

Fighting in the Libyan city of Derna has escalated to unprecedented levels, with air raids and shelling of residential areas as well as heavy ground clashes, the United Nations humanitarian office said on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 30, 2018

Abe looks beyond factions, courting LDP's rank and file for support as presidential election nears

This is the first of a two-part series on the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election slated for September.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 12, 2018

Trump's $1.5 trillion plan to overhaul U.S. infrastructure faces significant hurdles

U.S. President Donald Trump will roll out an infrastructure plan on Monday that already faces significant hurdles in Congress because it does not offer as much new federal funding as Democrats want or directly address how to pay for the effort.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 23, 2017

U.S. backs re-election of Honduran president despite vote controversy

The United States on Friday backed the re-election of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez despite widespread misgivings about the vote count, prompting the opposition candidate to bow out of the race.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 29, 2017

Foreign investors bet big on Japan stocks right before Abe's snap election call

In the two weeks before Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called a snap election, foreign investors using the futures market — which are often hedge funds — suddenly turned hugely positive on Japanese shares.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 8, 2017

A year on, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has more plans to reform the capital

A year since becoming Tokyo governor, Yuriko Koike is riding high.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jun 22, 2017

Russian hackers targeted 21 U.S. states during 2016 election: Homeland Security official

Russian hackers targeted 21 U.S. states' election systems in last year's presidential race, a Department of Homeland Security official told Congress on Wednesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 18, 2017

Voter turnout low as Macron sets sights on huge parliamentary majority

Voters turned out in low numbers Sunday in the second round of France's parliamentary election, where President Emmanuel Macron is expected to win a landslide majority that should allow him to embark on far-reaching pro-business reforms.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 16, 2017

Identifying the deadly sins of U.S. imperialism

The U.S. has been intervening in other countries through a variety of mechanisms that have led to their destabilization.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 24, 2017

Brexit, Trump and a warning

In this global network age, a wisely led U.K. should not be too close and committed to America or the EU at the expense of good relations with other countries.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 17, 2016

Koike can help Japan get serious about gender gap

Japan's efforts to promote gender mainstreaming have fallen short. Hopefully new Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike can give this vital concept a jump start.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 11, 2016

Election strengthens LDP as opposition flounders; Abe says talks to begin on constitutional revision

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was all smiles Sunday night after being asked to put flower symbols next to the names of his party’s numerous successful candidates, in a post-election appearance at Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday.
EDITORIALS
Oct 17, 2015

Voter ed for high school students

The government's guidelines for teachers educating high school students on the political process are too restrictive.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 5, 2015

In India, meat and murder threaten Modi's inclusive agenda

The murder by a Hindu mob of a Muslim man rumored to have slaughtered a cow has thrown a spotlight on the hard-line, polarizing agenda of some followers of Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi, undermining his promise of development for all.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 15, 2015

As historic election looms, Myanmar trials target student protesters

Every Tuesday, the moss-covered redbrick courthouse in Tharrawaddy erupts into activity for a weekly ritual: the mass trial of student protesters.

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight