National / Politics | Heisei Icons Apr 25, 2019
Junichiro Koizumi: Maverick reformer left Japan all shook up
by Reiji Yoshida
Junichiro Koizumi is regarded as the most accomplished politician of the Heisei Era, according to one survey.
National / Politics Aug 7, 2018
Former Prime Minister Koizumi declines request to run for Upper House as opposition candidate
Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has declined a request to run in next year's Upper House election as a unified candidate for opposition parties, a former ruling party lawmaker said Monday. The request from Ichiro Ozawa, head of the opposition Liberal Party, followed Koizumi's ...
National / Politics Apr 16, 2018
Former Prime Minister Koizumi sees embattled Abe quitting in June: magazine
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, plagued by suspected cronyism scandals and cover-ups and with his ratings sliding, will likely step down in June, former leader Junichiro Koizumi was quoted Monday as telling a weekly magazine. A survey by broadcaster Nippon TV released Sunday showed Abe's support ...
National / Politics Apr 15, 2018
Abe unlikely to win third term as LDP chief: ex-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Saturday that scandal-hit Shinzo Abe is unlikely to win a third term in September's Liberal Democratic Party presidential election in light of the public's growing distrust in him. "Winning a third term will be tough as he is losing ...
National / Politics Jan 10, 2018
by Tomohiro Osaki
A group advised by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Wednesday unveiled details about a bill calling for an "immediate halt" to Japan's reliance on nuclear power to prevent a recurrence of the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The group is seeking to submit the bill ...
National / Politics | FOCUS Sep 17, 2017
15 years after landmark Koizumi visit to Pyongyang, little progress on abduction issue
Little progress has been made on efforts to repatriate Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea since Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made a historic visit in 2002.
Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Aug 26, 2017
Koike tests possibilities and perils of populism in Japan
by Jeff Kingston
Abe occupies Koike's ideological comfort zone, so she needs to cannibalize his base to get any traction. It is thus imperative that she presents an alternative policy agenda to highlight their differences and tap into simmering dissatisfaction with the status quo.
National / History Apr 29, 2017
Power politics: Japan's most popular political platforms
by Eric Johnston
Looking back at some of the political platforms that have been heavily endorsed by voters over the past century in a bid to predict where the country might be headed under the 'third generation' of postwar Japanese.
National / Politics Mar 11, 2017
Former Prime Minister Koizumi reiterates call for Japan's complete exit from nuclear power
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Saturday reiterated his call for Japan's complete exit from nuclear energy as the country marked the sixth anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. "Nuclear power plants will become a negative legacy for future generations," Koizumi said at an event ...
World / Politics Dec 4, 2016
Abe matches Nakasone for fourth place on postwar prime minister longevity list
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe matches the record of 1,806 days in office set by former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone in the 1980s, the fourth-longest term held by a prime minister in the postwar era.
Voices | HOTLINE TO NAGATACHO Nov 2, 2016
Japan's government should stay out of U.S. sailors' lawsuit against Tepco
The government should keep its nose out of the lawsuit filed against Tokyo Electric Power Co. in the U.S. by 450 Americans over health problems they believe were caused by the Fukushima disaster.
National / Politics Oct 22, 2016
LDP may lose next election if nuclear exit becomes main issue: ex-PM Koizumi
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said the pro-nuclear ruling party of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could lose the next Lower House election if nuclear power becomes the main election issue. Citing recent gubernatorial election wins for candidates concerned about restarting nuclear power plants in Niigata ...