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Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 30, 2021

Growing friction between Kishida and Abe could mean turbulence for LDP in 2022

Tensions between Kishida and the former prime minister appear to be on the rise as Abe seeks to strengthen his faction and influence behind the scenes.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 1, 2021

Failed cooperation effort prompts soul-searching by Japan's opposition

The fielding of unified candidates led to some close races and two major upsets, but political differences ultimately undermined the tie-up in the eyes of voters.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 31, 2021

Voting in Japan's Lower House election kicks off in first test of Kishida’s popularity

All 465 seats — 289 single-member districts and 176 elected under proportional representation — will be contested, with the ruling bloc widely seen as maintaining a simple majority.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 28, 2021

Affluent Tokyo suburb shows why Japan’s opposition can’t keep up

Voters have bad memories of when the CDP last ran the country nearly a decade ago, a three-year span that saw three different leaders and a devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 19, 2021

LDP projected to retain majority in election but lose 40 seats

With the addition of Komeito's seats, the ruling coalition will be able to pass bills smoothly but will lack the number needed to push forward with constitutional revision, a pollster says.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Sep 22, 2021

The LDP's secretary-general: A combination of CEO and diplomat

The LDP presidential race has put renewed focus on the powerful position, with various party heavyweights looking to get rid of the long-standing incumbent.
EDITORIALS
Sep 29, 2019

Newly formed parliamentary group to be tested

Opposition forces have been fragmented and weak. Maybe, just maybe, that's about to change.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 2, 2019

Is populism finally coming to Japan?

The success of leftist party Reiwa Shinsengumi marks a turning point in Japanese politics.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 4, 2019

Tensions within Japan's LDP rise over backing of ex-DPJ heavyweight Goshi Hosono in Shizuoka poll

The two factions at the heart of the battle have a long history of conflict.
COMMENTARY / Japan / japan since the Meiji Restoration
Oct 22, 2018

Lessons from diplomatic and constitutional history

The 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration presents an opportunity to make a sweeping assessment of Japan's political and diplomatic trajectory over the ensuing years.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2018

Debate over LDP's plan to reform electoral system for Upper House heats up

Brushing off opposition anger, the ruling bloc on Wednesday rammed through a Diet panel a contentious bill that will likely make the arcane electoral system even more complicated.
JAPAN / Politics / Decision 2017
Oct 20, 2017

Anchored by Edano's underdog charm, CDP turning into formidable force ahead of election

Yukio Edano was the face of Japan during the unprecedented nuclear crisis that hit Fukushima Prefecture in 2011, leading numerous news conferences as the government's top spokesman.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 29, 2017

1,021 to run in Japan's Lower House election on Oct. 22: poll

A total of 1,021 people were planning to run in the Oct. 22 general election as of Thursday, according to a Jiji Press survey taken after the dissolution of the House of Representatives the same day.
EDITORIALS
May 12, 2016

Getting more women in the Diet

Systemic change is needed to increase female representation in Japan's political sphere.
JAPAN / Politics
May 9, 2016

Constitutional scholar Kobayashi announces plan for anti-Abe party, Upper House bid

A constitutional scholar inspired by U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders jumps into the Upper House race to stop the 'uncontrollable' government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 13, 2015

Don't trust the U.K. pollsters

Britain's Labour Party lost the recent election because it had the wrong leader and unconvincing policies.
Ayaka Shiomura, running for an Upper House seat on a Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan ticket in the Tokyo district, was one of 42 women elected in Sunday's election.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 21, 2025

Japan elects record number of women to Upper House

Female candidates won 42 of the 125 seats contested on Sunday, up from 35 seats in the last election in 2022.

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’