National / Politics Dec 2, 2019
Japan's next SDF mission to Mideast may include its biggest warships
The next Self-Defense Forces dispatch to the Middle East could get Cabinet approval by the end of the year.
Commentary / Japan Oct 31, 2019
Resignations offer insights into Cabinet politics
by Michael Macarthur Bosack
The latest resignations are symptomatic of broader Japanese Cabinet politics.
National / Politics Oct 31, 2019
Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai resigns over wife's alleged election law breach
by Reiji Yoshida and Sakura Murakami
The resignation marks the second departure from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet in just a week after trade minister Isshu Sugawara resigned Friday.
National / Politics Oct 30, 2019
Defense Minister Taro Kono apologizes for 'rain man' joke as Japan reels from typhoons
Defense Minister Taro Kono apologized Tuesday for joking about his "rain man" moniker at a time when Japan is reeling from the impact of multiple typhoons in recent months. "I would like to apologize to all those to whom I caused offense," he told an ...
National Oct 29, 2019
Japan moves to step up reconstruction funding in wake of Typhoon Hagibis
The decision is designed to reduce the financial burden being shouldered by local governments and boost central government spending on projects to rebuild infrastructure.
National Oct 27, 2019
Over 80 percent of Japanese in favor of a woman taking the throne
A whopping 81.9 percent of Japanese people have said they are in favor of having a reigning empress, while 13.5 percent are against it, according to a recent survey. The Kyodo News poll, released Sunday, showed that 70 percent of the respondents said they would ...
National / Politics Oct 25, 2019
Japan trade chief Isshu Sugawara exits amid allegations he broke election campaign law
by Satoshi Sugiyama and Sakura Murakami
A tabloid’s expose on a funeral gift to a supporter ousts the METI chief after just a month and a half in office.
National / Politics Oct 18, 2019
Shinjiro Koizumi's popularity as candidate for next prime minister drops in latest poll
The largest proportion of the public wants new Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to become the next prime minister, but he has suffered a decline in popularity while watching support for Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga surge, a Jiji Press opinion survey for October showed ...
Business / Economy Oct 18, 2019
Japan's Cabinet approves tougher rules on foreigners owning stocks tied to national security
According to the legislation, foreign investors will have to give advance notice when buying stakes of over 1 percent in national security-related companies, rather than 10 percent.
Commentary / Japan Oct 17, 2019
Taro Kono: A different kind of defense minister
by Michael Macarthur Bosack
For the first time ever, the Defense Ministery is headed by a prime minister-ready politician.
National Oct 17, 2019
The last Cabinet minister to visit was Sanae Takaichi in April 2017.