National / Politics Sep 1, 2019
Scandal-hit Japanese lawmaker says 'war the only way' to take back Takeshima
by Jesse Johnson
A lawmaker who drew fire earlier this year for remarks suggesting the need for Japan to wage war with Russia to retake islands held by Moscow has made a similar claim that nothing short of conflict would allow for Japan to retake the disputed ...
National / Politics Jul 29, 2019
Japan lawmaker who sparked scandal with Russia war remarks to join anti-NHK party
Hodaka Maruyama, who was expelled from Nippon Ishin no Kai, will become a member of NHK Kara Kokumin wo Mamoru To (the Party to Protect the People from NHK).
National / Politics Jun 6, 2019
Rare Diet resolution passed to increase pressure on Hodaka Maruyama to quit over Russia war remarks
It is the first time that the Diet has adopted a resolution to press a lawmaker into resignation, according to the secretariats for both houses.
National / Politics Jun 5, 2019
Parties step up pressure on lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama to quit over Russia war remarks
A resolution against opposition lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama came after the government verified remarks he made during a visa-free exchange program between Japan and Russia in May were problematic.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jun 1, 2019
Lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama's 'war' gaffe puts spotlight on disputed isles
by Philip Brasor
Diet lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama was kicked out of opposition party Nippon Ishin no Kai last month over remarks he made during an exchange excursion to one of the Russian-controlled islands off the coast of Hokkaido that Japan claims as its own. Other opposition parties ...
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN Jun 1, 2019
Is disgust with the status quo now feeding nostalgia for the past?
by Michael Hoffman
Bulgarian scholar Ivan Krastev, in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun published in March, compared the restless discontent of the 1960s with that of today. Fifty years ago, he said, disgust with the status quo fed hope for the future. Today it feeds nostalgia ...
National / Politics May 21, 2019
In joint resolution, LDP and Komeito rebuke lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama over 'war' comment
by Tomohiro Osaki
The ruling coalition said the comment made by lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama “runs counter to pacifism” and “significantly undermines Japan’s national interest.”
National / Politics May 20, 2019
Citing free speech, Japanese lawmaker who alluded to war with Russia refuses to resign
The Lower House member says the Diet, as a place for free speech, is “signing its own death warrant” with the motion.
National / Politics | FOCUS May 15, 2019
Japan fears lawmaker's 'war' gaffe may impact isle talks with Russia
Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui condemned remarks by a lawmaker in his Nippon Isshin no Kai party suggesting war as a way for Japan to recapture Russian-held islands off Hokkaido.
National / Politics May 14, 2019
Nippon Ishin no Kai lawmaker ousted from party over Russia 'war' gaffe
Hodaka Maruyama was ousted after he asked the head of a group of former residents of disputed islands whether he would support a war with Russia.