National / Politics Jul 14, 2016
Campaign kicks off for Tokyo governor race
by Mizuho Aoki
At the close of nominations at 5 p.m. on Thursday, 21 people had put their names forward to become the capital's next leader.
World / Politics Sep 3, 2015
Fire in his belly, Bush tells Trump to bring it on, is told in return to speak English in U.S.
Republican Jeb Bush's new campaign ad ridiculing Donald Trump as a "germophobe" and Democrat-in-disguise is just the start of what will be a bigger onslaught, signaling a more aggressive stance by the candidate, Bush advisers said on Wednesday. Some confidants of the former Florida governor ...
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN May 16, 2015
'Kantei Santa' makes himself heard over the din of the election vans
by Michael Hoffman
Is crime justified in the service of good? It's an ancient question. "Thou shalt not kill," says the Bible — war in God's service being an implicit exception. Then there's Don Quixote, lover of justice, upholder of virtue, who founders on the impossibility of doing ...
National / Politics | DECISION 2014 Dec 3, 2014
Campaigning for election kicks off as Abe's approval rating dips
by Reiji Yoshida
Official campaigning for the Dec. 14 Lower House election kicked off Tuesday, with 1,191 candidates across the country angling for one of the chamber's 475 seats. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the chamber on Nov. 21, saying he needs voters to endorse his decision to ...
National / Politics | ELECTION CONNECTION Nov 27, 2014
Reduced tax rate, security legislation top priorities for Komeito
by Mizuho Aoki
The government must apply a reduced rate to certain daily necessities to soften the impact of the second stage of the consumption tax hike in April 2017, even if it means collecting less revenue and creating extra work for some people, Komeito leader Natsuo ...
National Jan 8, 2014
Japan ramping up policy PR campaign in U.S.
The government has been expanding a program to win over public opinion in the United States on Japan's foreign policy related to defense and the disputes with China and South Korea over territory and wartime history. The program is aimed at encouraging more Americans to ...
National / Politics Nov 27, 2013
Inose in denial mode as cash cloud hangs heavier
by Reiji Yoshida
Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose’s failure to declare a whopping ¥50 million he received from a shady hospital tycoon sees his political career take a pounding.
National / Politics Nov 12, 2013
Six arrested over Tokuda election campaign fraud
Six people linked to Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Takeshi Tokuda are arrested on suspicion of illegally rewarding people who worked on the Lower House member’s campaign for the December 2012 general election.
National / Politics Jul 5, 2013
433 in running as election campaign starts
Official campaigning gets under way for the Upper House election later this month in a key gauge of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's leadership over the past seven months.