Tag - liberal-democratic-party

 
 

LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY

COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Mar 19, 2015
Aging population, reform taking a toll on LDP
Members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party express alarm that the party's local chapters are showing signs of collapse because of Japan's aging population and the government's proposed agricultural reforms.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Feb 18, 2015
Tougher times awaiting Abe?
Times are getting tougher for Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's right-hand man.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Jan 24, 2015
Can the DPJ reinvigorate Japanese democracy?
Columbia University's Gerald Curtis recently wrote, "It is a sad commentary on Japan's politics that after nearly 70 years of democracy a competitive party system has all but disintegrated."
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 25, 2014
A realistic agenda for voters to prevent the worst results
One wonders if the Japanese are realistic enough to vote against political parties and candidates in order to prevent the worst results even if they don't see candidates of their choice.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Dec 20, 2014
Rage against the capital's (bureaucratic) machine
As the Dec. 14 Lower House election demonstrated, media analysis of political campaigning typically focuses on personalities and parties. In recent years, official manifests serve as TV talking points as pundits — be they boorish young comedians or serious, sober-minded, gray-haired fellows — debate...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 15, 2014
Lower House election results
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, its junior partner in the ruling coalition, win the Lower House election by a landslide Sunday, claiming 325 seats.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 15, 2014
Undecided voters swing Abe's way again
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is a gambler, and he won again Sunday night.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 8, 2014
As opposition dithers, voters mull four more years of Abe
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's chances for becoming the nation's longest-serving leader in more than four decades are increasing as the opposition finds itself hobbled by factionalism, shifting policies and funding shortages.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 5, 2014
Japan's media needs to act as a watchdog, not a lapdog
Cozy relationships between Japan's mainstream media and politicians have helped to enable much of the cronyism, irresponsible behavior and policy drift that the prime minister is supposedly trying to eradicate.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 3, 2014
LDP campaign message diverges in urban, rural areas
Voters in parts of the country where the Trans-Pacific Partnership is a particularly sensitive issue are hearing a message from local LDP chapters that differs from the party's national campaign platform.
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Nov 14, 2014
Why Abe will likely opt to call a snap Lower House election
Successive resignations of two female Cabinet members dealt a blow to the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But should the opposition camp be credited for its attack that forced them to step down or did the administration manage to minimize the impact by counteracting quickly?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 3, 2014
Could Obuchi become Japan's first female prime minister?
With a telegenic presence, powerful ruling party mentors and a talent for avoiding making political enemies, new trade and industry minister Yuko Obuchi may have what it takes to become the country's first female prime minister.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 3, 2014
Tanigaki gets nod as LDP No. 2; hawkish Inada named party policy chief
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appoints Justice Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki as secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and removes Shigeru Ishiba, his top political rival, from the party's No. 2 post.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 20, 2014
Debate on foreigner voting rights reignites ahead of 2020 Olympics
The debate over voting rights for non-Japanese residents is flaring up again, amid a drive to attract more foreign workers ahead of the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 18, 2014
Who's at the table for Abe's reshuffle?
Rumors and speculation are swirling in Nagata-cho, Japan's political nerve center. The hot topic: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to reshuffle the Cabinet and the leadership of his Liberal Democratic Party next month.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Aug 11, 2014
Local municipalities vie for your 'hometown tax'
If you donate money to a local government, you can get rewarded three times.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 20, 2014
Mine-clearing in combat zones pushed for SDF
An LDP politician argues Japan can join collective-security operations after Prime Minister Abe fudges his stance on mine-sweeping, which is deemed use of force by international law.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 27, 2014
Politicians running in place
Today, there's not so much political competition in Japan between the ruling and opposition camps as there is among opposition parties seeking to ally themselves with the ruling camp. Have individual lawmakers become less willing to take risks by speaking up?
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Apr 22, 2014
Anti-Abe forces emerging
Little was heard from Yasuo Fukuda, nor was much said about him, after he stepped down as prime minister in 2008. In recent months, though, he has been sought out by some LDP leaders to help repair the damage to relations with South Korea and China, which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's style of diplomacy is said to have caused.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Mar 22, 2014
Energy debate challenges facade of wa
Torn between his nationalistic instinct to resurrect what he seems to regard as Japan's great bygone days of empire-building and the mundane demands of caring for the pressing needs of his nation, a remarkably caring soul might almost feel sorry for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his first months in...

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Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji