Abe ties Taro Katsura as longest-serving Japanese prime minister
Abe is set to break Katsura’s century-old record on Wednesday at a time when myriad challenges lie ahead, including a controversy over a publicly funded cherry blossom-viewing party.
Mission unaccomplished — Abe's drive to revise pacifist Constitution
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe surged back to power seven years ago, pledging to bolster the nation's defenses in response to a growing threat from China and aiming to amend the pacifist Constitution. Now on track to become Japan's longest serving prime minister, Abe has kept ...
The government’s decision to finance the Daijosai ceremony with state funds draws criticism from experts, who claim the move was taken with undue speed in order to avoid reigniting controversy over the Constitution.
LDP might delay talks on constitutional referendum bill to avoid Diet extension that could hurt Abe
The drive to change the process for revising the Constitution is being blunted by fears the opposition will get more time to dig up dirt on Abe’s cherry blossom scandal.
Tokyo court rejects damages suit over law forcing married couples to share a surname
The Tokyo District Court on Thursday rejected a damages suit filed by three couples who argued that the country's law forcing married couples to use the same surname is unconstitutional. The Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court upheld the constitutionality of the relevant provisions ...
Constitution seen as highest hurdle for proposed SDF mission to Middle East
The government faces a series of challenges dispatching Self-Defense Forces to the Middle East, in particular whether such activities would be consistent with the Constitution in the event of their possible involvement in armed conflict. The government has begun a full appraisal of such details ...
Three arrested at anti-imperial rallies in Tokyo protesting emperor's enthronement ceremony
Three people were arrested Tuesday as citizens opposed to the imperial system rallied in the upscale Ginza district of Tokyo and other areas, protesting the emperor's enthronement ceremony held at the Imperial Palace the same day, police said. The three were arrested on suspicion of ...
Pomp and splendor: What to expect from the ceremonies for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement
To the joy of some, and perhaps the surprise of others, next Tuesday is a one-off national holiday. While some may happily take the day off, it is also the day when dignitaries from across Japan and the world will gather in Tokyo to witness ...
Abe may dissolve Japan's Lower House in November for snap election
Speculation is rising that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may dissolve the House of Representatives and call a snap general election as early as November.
Abe opens Diet session with call for social welfare reform for all generations
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe kicks off the extraordinary Diet session by tweaking his social welfare vows to appeal more to seniors and people with disabilities as he targets Article 9.
