Commentary / Japan Aug 29, 2020
With the merger of two opposition groups, it's hoped a long run of party dissolutions and mergers can be stopped.
National / Politics Oct 5, 2018
LDP to present draft for revising Japan's pacifist Constitution to Diet without consulting Komeito
In a bid to pursue Abe’s long-cherished goal, the LDP plans to offer its proposals during the session expected to be convened later this month.
National / Politics Sep 20, 2018
With Abe re-elected, local governments now look for him to deliver on campaign promises
by Eric Johnston
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe secured strong support from the Liberal Democratic Party's local chapters in securing a third term as president of the party. Now, just over six months before nationwide gubernatorial and assembly elections take place in April 2019, Abe and his LDP must ...
National / Politics Sep 20, 2018
Abe tops Ishiba in Liberal Democratic Party election and secures historic third term
by Tomohiro Osaki
Japan’s prime minister comfortably beat his only contender, securing 553 out of a total 807 votes.
National / Politics Sep 11, 2018
LDP contenders Abe, Ishiba joust over policy in first pre-election face-off
by Tomohiro Osaki
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe repeated on Monday that he wants to revise war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution to clarify the ambiguous status of Japan's military if re-elected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Sept. 20. Abe's proclamation set him apart from his ...
National / Politics Aug 22, 2018
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to announce his candidacy Sunday for the Liberal Democratic Party leadership contest next month as he looks to secure a third consecutive term as LDP chief, a senior party lawmaker said Wednesday. During his visit to Kagoshima Prefecture over the ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Apr 7, 2018
In Japan no one wants to talk about sex education
by Philip Brasor
The English "penis" — which rhymes with "Venice" in katakana — is the preferred technical term when discussing male genitalia in Japan, but even that seems to be taboo in broadcast situations.
Editorials Feb 14, 2018
The LDP factions and their leaders should make their policy positions clear as they prepare for the party's presidential race.
National / Politics Nov 29, 2017
LDP backs away from election promise of 'free education' election promise
by Eric Johnston
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers tasked with drawing up proposed constitutional amendments approved a plan Tuesday that does not include a guarantee to make all education free. The LDP's decision comes as the party continues to debate proposed revisions, with an aim toward presenting a ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Oct 21, 2017
Identifying the 'liberal' in Japanese politics
by Philip Brasor
The current group of conservative public figures in the United States wants to return to an age when certain middle-class values were ascendant, without acknowledging that many of those values were realized because President Franklin Roosevelt implemented progressive social policies and trade unions had ...
National / Politics | Decision 2017 Oct 19, 2017
by Reiji Yoshida and Alex Martin
Eight years is a long time in Japanese politics and people are quick to forget, but things were vastly different then. In summer 2009, the Democratic Party of Japan won a sweeping victory against the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito ruling coalition in the Lower House election, ...
National / Politics Oct 19, 2017
Japan Inc. wants ruling bloc to prevail in election win but with smaller majority: poll
Japanese companies overwhelmingly want Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition to stay in power in this Sunday's national election but about two-thirds want it to lose seats, a Reuters poll found. The survey suggests corporations want political stability but don't want to hand Abe a ...