National / Crime & Legal Mar 13, 2021
Ex-top Tokyo prosecutor to face summary indictment over gambling
Hiromu Kurokawa had escaped indictment in July as prosecutors decided he had admitted to the gambling and received social punishment.
National Dec 25, 2020
Japan panel says ex-top prosecutor should be indicted over gambling
Prior to the scandal over his games of mahjong with journalists, Kurokawa had been at the heart of a controversy in which the Abe government was forced to retreat.
Issues | LAW OF THE LAND Jun 18, 2020
Much ado about retirement ages and Japan's politicized bureaucracy
by Colin P.A. Jones
The scandal surrounding top prosecutor Hiromu Kurokawa has kicked off a debate on retirement ages and interference in Japan's civil service.
National / Politics Jun 17, 2020
Japan government drops bill to delay top prosecutors’ retirement
The plan to raise the retirement age sparked an uproar, with many observers worried it would threaten the independence of the judiciary.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jun 13, 2020
Prosecutor gambling scandal lifts veil on press access in Japan
by Philip Brasor
Will the incident prompt any major media outlet to change its ways when socializing with sources?
Commentary / Japan Jun 10, 2020
Media collaborators threaten press freedom in Japan
by Richard Solomon
Japan has too few good journalists because mainstream media reporters unconsciously begin their stories from the point of view of prized informants.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX May 30, 2020
Resignation raises uncomfortable questions about Japan prosecutors' powers
by Philip Brasor
The public and the media cried foul because Kurokawa was seen to be sympathetic to the interests of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
National / Politics | ANALYSIS May 24, 2020
Abe’s influence takes a hit with prosecutor scandal and bill reversal
by Satoshi Sugiyama
Double punch casts a shadow over administration’s signature agenda-setting authority.
National May 21, 2020
Top Tokyo prosecutor with close ties to Abe resigns after gambling exposé
by Satoshi Sugiyama
The revelation marks the latest controversy surrounding Kurokawa, who is seen as having a close relationship with the prime minister's administration.
National / Politics May 21, 2020
Top prosecutor Hiromu Kurokawa to resign over gambling expose
A top Japanese prosecutor thought to be favored by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's office intends to step down after a magazine report that he played mahjong for money and did so despite Japan's state of emergency over the new coronavirus, a judicial source said ...
National / Politics May 15, 2020
In blow to Abe, panel delays showdown over prosecutor retirement bill
by Satoshi Sugiyama
The bill is a target of protests from the opposition and lawyers, who claim it would enable the politicization of an independent judiciary system.
National / Crime & Legal May 15, 2020
Former prosecutors oppose government bill that selectively postpones retirement
The changes would raise the retirement age for prosecutors, while allowing those in certain roles to postpone retirement with Cabinet approval.