Tag - legislation

 
 

LEGISLATION

Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 10, 2016
New law eyed to improve living, education standards for indigenous Ainu
The central government might enact a law aimed at bettering living standards and education for the indigenous Ainu, who once occupied much of Hokkaido, sources say.
JAPAN / Politics
May 1, 2016
Joint drills with expanded SDF role are postponed until after Upper House election
The government has decided to postpone drills with foreign troops, based on security legislation that expanded the activities of the Self-Defense Forces, until after the Upper House election this summer, sources close to the matter said Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 8, 2016
Ruling coalition submits bill to curb hate speech
The Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito ruling coalition on Friday submitted a potentially game-changing bill to the Upper House aimed at eliminating hate speech.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Mar 17, 2016
Japan enacts tough new law to regulate drones
The Diet on Thursday enacted a law banning drones from flying over important facilities such as the Prime Minister's Office while giving police the power to destroy drones if necessary.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 22, 2016
SDF officers tussle with civil servants for bigger role in drafting next three-year operation plan
In a power struggle with civilian bureaucrats in the Defense Ministry, senior Self-Defense Forces officers are demanding a bigger role in drafting the next overall operation plan.
JAPAN
Feb 9, 2016
Japan extends peacekeeping mission in South Sudan through October
The Cabinet gave its blessing Tuesday to an extension of the Self-Defense Forces' peacekeeping mission in South Sudan by eight months until the end of October.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2016
Japan can deploy its strengths in many ways in peacekeeping missions, U.N. official says
The head of the United Nations Department of Field Support has said he welcomes Tokyo's efforts to enhance the security of peacekeepers on missions abroad. Former Indian diplomat Atul Khare, who assumed the U.N. role last year, was speaking ahead of a visit to Japan that began Monday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 21, 2015
Lawyers to challenge constitutionality of security laws
A group of legal experts will file lawsuits with district courts across the country, arguing that the newly enacted security laws violate the Constitution.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 13, 2015
Former Mie Prefecture mayor to challenge constitutionality of new security law
The former mayor of Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture, said Sunday more than 750 people have agreed to join a collective lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of the nation's security legislation.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 4, 2015
Japan's defense budget likely to top ¥5 trillion for first time
Japan's defense budget for the next fiscal year is likely to top ¥5 trillion ($40 billion) for the first time, government sources said, as the military prepares for an expanded role under new security legislation.
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 18, 2015
Texas law seen leading up to 240,000 women, mainly the poor, to try self-induced abortions
A Texas law aimed at restricting abortions that took effect in 2013 has led to more women trying to end a pregnancy on their own, while the number of clinical procedures in the state has declined, according to a study released on Tuesday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 16, 2015
Security legislation promises more than it can deliver
Japan's new security legislation will do little to deter China or North Korea, and the SDF is not large or strong enough to turn the tides of war in international peacekeeping and possible U.S.-led war efforts.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 29, 2015
South Korea urges transparency in Japan's new security policy
South Korean President Park Geun-hye urged Japan on Monday to share information with its neighbors about its new security policies.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 28, 2015
Government skipped recording debate over constitutional reinterpretation
The government announced it did not keep records of internal discussions before its reinterpretation of the Constitution to lift the ban on collective self-defense.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 25, 2015
Supporters demand security bill protesters be released following 'unjust arrests'
Supporters of protesters who were arrested for obstruction of justice during a rally against the government's security legislation demanded Friday that they be released immediately and decried their "unjust arrest."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 22, 2015
SDF role in South Sudan to expand in May under new security laws
The government is getting ready to expand the role of the Self-Defense Forces mission in South Sudan as early as May under the security legislation enacted last week.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 22, 2015
Commenting on security bills, Niigata Bar Association goes short but sweet
This isn't right.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 19, 2015
Policy hurdles remain despite passage of new security laws
Ignoring protests from furious voters and opposition lawmakers, the ruling camp led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has enacted two divisive security laws, marking a significant departure from Japan's postwar pacifism.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 19, 2015
Japan's defense shift is hailed, but weaknesses will remain: experts
Passage of security bills satisfies the U.S. desire for Japan to be more of a regional military player, will strengthen defense cooperation with other countries.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2015
Thousands gather outside Diet in heavy rain for last chance to protest security bills
Thursday's heavy rain failed to douse the rage of thousands of demonstrators who gathered in front of the Diet building in Tokyo to protest the controversial security legislation that is expected to pass by week's end.

Longform

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces