National / Crime & Legal Jul 15, 2020
Tokyo court denies bail for ex-justice minister and lawmaker wife
The two are expected to receive their court rulings within 100 days of their indictment on a charge of vote-buying.
National / Crime & Legal Jul 14, 2020
A Japanese ruling party lawmaker has admitted to receiving ¥1 million ($9,300) from a Chinese gambling operator interested in joining Japan's nascent casino market, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday. But prosecutors will not build a case against Takaki Shirasuka on a bribery charge ...
National / Politics Jul 13, 2020
Ex-industry ministry official wins Kagoshima election in blow to Abe
Koichi Shiota emphasized his ministry experience of around 30 years during his campaign that focused on revitalizing the local economy.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jul 11, 2020
The murky politics behind Japan's campaign financing
by Philip Brasor
Katsuyuki and Anri Kawai are accused of using campaign funds to buy favors, but the use of cash for gift-giving is so prevalent in Japan as to make it difficult to prove.
National / Politics Jul 10, 2020
For some in LDP, Koike's Tokyo win strengthens case for snap poll
by Satoshi Sugiyama
Landslide triumph for the incumbent in Sunday's gubernatorial election underscored the current weakness of the opposition and voters' preference for the status quo.
National / Politics Jul 7, 2020
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Tuesday decided to cancel its annual convention for the first time since its formation in 1955, with no end in sight to the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, speculation is building that a vote-buying scandal involving former party members was behind ...
National / Politics | ANALYSIS Jul 7, 2020
'Single mind' no more: Abe's onetime right-hand man sees his influence dwindle
by Satoshi Sugiyama
Despite his long history of supporting the prime minister, the chief cabinet secretary is finding himself increasingly marginalized.
National / Politics Jul 7, 2020
LDP adopts resolution against Xi's state visit to Japan after revision
The ruling party said it cannot help but request a cancellation, softening the wording from a draft version that clearly demanded the visit be canceled.
National / Reference | FYI Jul 5, 2020
Powerful Japanese medical group has history of political prescriptions
by Eric Johnston
Here’s a closer look at the group, its political connections and what the recent change in its leadership might mean for the Liberal Democratic Party.
National Jul 3, 2020
LDP lawmakers want Xi’s Japan state visit canceled over Hong Kong
Senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party's two committees on foreign affairs drew up a draft resolution decrying the new national security law in Hong Kong.
National / Politics Jul 2, 2020
LDP heavyweight Shigeru Ishiba against dissolving Lower House early
Speculation about a possible general election this coming fall has been rife among political circles.