NEWSWORTHY
In joint resolution, LDP and Komeito rebuke lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama over 'war' comment
The ruling coalition said the comment made by lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama “runs counter to pacifism” and “significantly undermines Japan’s national interest.”
Yaichi Tanigawa, 77, a Lower House member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party representing Nagasaki Prefecture's No. 3 constituency, apologized Sunday for saying that working with Saga Prefecture over the delayed construction of a part of the Kyushu Shinkansen line "is like dealing with ...
LDP to set up caucus on making use of paternity leave mandatory throughout Japan
Like-minded members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party plan to form a caucus to make the taking of paternity leave mandatory in Japan, informed sources said Saturday. The caucus, to be chaired by former education minister Hirokazu Matsuno, is set to hold its first meeting ...
Liberal Demoratic Party and Komeito flip-flop on Osaka merger
Just over a month after local elections in which Osaka Ishin no Kai (One Osaka) surprised even itself with resounding victories, the established parties' local chapters appear to be on the ropes. Earlier this month, Komeito, which had long partnered with Osaka Ishin to form ...
LDP creates code of conduct for its lawmakers, in hope of preventing gaffes
Amid a spate of verbal flubs that have plagued the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has created a code of conduct for its lawmakers — warning them to watch their mouths to prevent blunders from affecting their political ...
The public's top pick to become the next prime minister says the country is not ready for the scale of change he thinks it needs. Shinjiro Koizumi, the 38-year-old son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, consistently leads polls asking who should succeed long-serving ...
Rising political star Shinjiro Koizumi on Friday called for a deepening of the alliance between Tokyo and Washington while expressing his commitment to reforms that will help Japan cope with its rapidly aging population. "I am absolutely convinced that Japan will remain a reliable partner ...
Among Asian countries, Japan is least satisfied with its democracy, survey finds
More people across the globe are unhappy with the state of democracy in their countries than are content, according to a new poll that showed 56 percent of people in Japan voicing dissatisfaction. The survey, released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center, found that 56 ...
Japan's summer Upper House election set to draw more than 250 candidates, poll shows
A total of 256 people are prepared to run in the Upper House election set for this summer, a Jiji Press survey has found. The poll will be the first nationwide parliamentary election since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won a third consecutive three-year term as ...
Abe's poker face: If Japan's leader is wavering on tax hike resolve, how will we know?
Twice before, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has backed away from the sort of sales tax hike that toppled at least one predecessor. Now, he faces the same dilemma again. In five months Japan is set to raise the levy to 10 percent from the current ...
Junichiro Koizumi: Maverick reformer left Japan all shook up
Junichiro Koizumi is regarded as the most accomplished politician of the Heisei Era, according to one survey.
Abe likely to use upcoming big events to distract Japanese public from election routs, experts say
The Liberal Democratic Party's defeat in two by-elections on Sunday is likely to prompt the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to use upcoming diplomatic events to deflect domestic attention from recent political setbacks, as he looks ahead to a key Upper House election ...
