Tag - government

 
 

GOVERNMENT

Japan Airlines launched a new project in March 2021 in which about 1,000 flight attendants engage in promoting tourist resources in Japan's 47 prefectures.
JAPAN / Society
Jan 22, 2024
Regional business creators system picks up steam in Japan
The system allows local governments to leverage private-sector know-how in areas including tourism promotion and digitalization.
Participants take part in a 'senior cafeteria' event at a nursing home in Tokyo's Meguro Ward on Dec. 14.
JAPAN / Society
Jan 21, 2024
‘Senior cafeterias’ gaining steam to support elderly
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched a subsidy program this fiscal year for municipalities promoting local dining events.
Mito Kakizawa (right) and former Koto Ward Mayor Yayoi Kimura in October
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 17, 2024
Ex-senior vice justice minister indicted for breach of election law
Including sums paid by secretaries, the lawmaker is suspected of having provided around ¥3.3 million to support a candidate he backed in a mayoral race.
The summit of Mount Fuji in October. An eruption of the volcano could bring immediate, immeasurable damage to parts of Japan.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2024
Avoiding a catastrophe if Mount Fuji erupts after major quake
Drills have shown that such a double disaster could prove catastrophic for parts of Japan.
Ohkawara Kakohki President Masaaki Okawara speaks to reporters on Dec. 27 in front of the Tokyo District Court.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 10, 2024
Authorities challenge ruling over machinery export probe
A Dec. 27 Tokyo District Court ruling determined that the arrests of three people in the case lacked reasonable grounds.
Officials with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office raids the office of Lowr House lawmaker Mito Kakizawa in Tokyo's Edo Ward in November.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 6, 2024
Lawmaker Mito Kakizawa to admit to vote-buying allegations
The Lower House lawmaker's admission to vote-buying allegations in a Tokyo mayoral election will come after an initial denial.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki holds a news conference on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2023
Japanese government overrides Okinawa objection to Henoko work
The approval is "a milestone" for the total transfer of the Futenma air base as early as possible, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters.
Lower House lawmaker Mito Kakizawa (back right) when he was appointed deputy justice minister in September
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 28, 2023
Japanese lawmaker Kakizawa arrested over vote-buying allegations
The former LDP member allegedly gave bribes to assembly members in Tokyo’s Koto Ward to garner support for a candidate in the Koto mayoral election.
The prefectural and municipal governments of Osaka hold a meeting in the city on Dec. 14 to discuss offering a ride-hailing service at the 2025 Osaka Expo.
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2023
Local governments in Japan eye independent ride-hailing services
Some local governments are exploring the introduction of their own systems tailored to fit local circumstances, separate from the central government.
Construction work goes on in the Henoko coastal district of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, on Monday, with Oura Bay in the foreground.
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2023
Japan to OK base relocation project design change by proxy
The approval of the change application will mark the central government's first-ever proxy execution of a local government administrative task.
The Chinese national emblem and flags at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 18.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 21, 2023
China’s move to clip local borrowing puts growth engine at risk
A revamp of the intergovernment debt structure could diminish the fiscal discretion of local leaders and weaken their drive to enact new policies.
Kakizawa resigned as senior vice justice minister in late October after admitting that he had proposed using an online advertisement in Yayoi Kimura's mayoral campaign, which is prohibited by the election law.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 15, 2023
Prosecutors search lawmaker's home and office over Tokyo vote-buying
Lower House member Mito Kakizawa is suspected of paying money to several Koto Ward assembly members to get a mayoral candidate he backed elected.
Police officers examine the site of a car crash in a square in front of the Hitachi municipal offices in Ibaraki Prefecture on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 7, 2023
Suspect in Ibaraki car crashes admits involvement, citing grudge
The vehicle that was rammed into a square in the city of Hitachi had the suspect's mother in the passenger seat at the time of the incident.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike speaks during a Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly meeting on Monday.
JAPAN / Society
Dec 6, 2023
Tokyo aims to make high school tuition free of charge for all
For families in the capital with an annual income of less than ¥9.1 million, current financial aid essentially makes high school tuition free.
Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Mito Kakizawa's constituency office in Koto Ward.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 17, 2023
Ruling party lawmaker suspected of vote-buying in Tokyo mayoral race
Several Koto Ward assembly members have already been questioned about potentially the payments.
Prosecutors search the office of House of Representatives lawmaker Mito Kakizawa in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 16, 2023
Ruling party lawmaker's office searched over mayor race scandal
Several assembly members of Koto Ward have been already questioned on a voluntary basis about suspected payments.
Police try to control the crowd in the city of Osaka after the Hanshin Tigers won the Japan Series baseball championship on Nov. 5.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2023
Civil servants face different treatment at Kansai baseball parades
Kobe and Hyogo government workers working at the parades will be treated as being on duty, but those of the Osaka governments will not be.
Shoko Kawata (right) receives flowers after winning the Yawata mayoral election in Kyoto Prefecture on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 13, 2023
Ex-lawmaker secretary becomes Japan's youngest female mayor at 33
Shoko Kawata beat two other newcomers in the mayoral election held following the resignation of the former mayor.
A crowded crossing near Shibuya Station in Tokyo on Tuesday
JAPAN / Society
Nov 1, 2023
Shibuya Halloween passes without fuss following ‘don’t come’ message
Shibuya's mayor has expressed satisfaction with the reduction in crowds and public drinking this year.
Shibuya's local government has mounted a campaign to dissuade revelers from visiting the neighborhood for Halloween celebrations and has banned drinking in the streets.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 30, 2023
Shibuya wants to cancel Halloween. That's a mistake.
This year, Shibuya isn't dressing up for Halloween. The neighborhood is turning revelers away, ignoring its role as a youth culture hub.

Longform

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces