Editorials Oct 23, 2017
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should not take the election outcome as an unqualified thumbs-up for his administration by voters.
National Sep 5, 2016
The government has decided to bring rules for early voting on Supreme Court justices in line with those for Lower House elections, according to a government source. The change, to extend the early voting period to 11 days, is aimed at making it more convenient ...
National / Politics Feb 4, 2015
December poll voter turnout 84%, not 53%, newspapers' poll indicates
A joint survey conducted by 17 newspapers has shown as much as 83.8 percent of readers joining it went to the polls in December's Lower House election, far exceeding the official figure of 52.66 percent announced by the internal affairs ministry. The result of the ...
Commentary / Japan Dec 21, 2014
Push economic reforms, not a revisionist agenda
by Hugh Cortazzi
Japan-watchers in London say Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would be wise to focus on reforming the Japanese economy while keeping a tight rein on the right wing of his party.
Commentary / Japan Dec 12, 2014
The high costs of Japan's 'Seinfeld election'
by William Pesek
By rewarding Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a job not even remotely done, voters are giving him a mandate to continue leading Japan down the wrong path.
Editorials Dec 12, 2014
Voter turnout Sunday for the Lower House election is forecast to be as low as it was in the 2012 race. Young people especially need to realize that, by avoiding the polls, they are losing their voice on issues that will certainly affect their ...
Commentary / Japan Dec 9, 2014
by Takamitsu Sawa
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe blames the opposition camp for criticizing "Abenomics" without presenting lternatives. But finding a way to put today's economy on a virtuous circle is akin to trying to create something out of nothing.
National / Politics | DECISION 2014 Dec 3, 2014
LDP campaign message diverges in urban, rural areas
by Eric Johnston
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.
Editorials Dec 3, 2014
Lawmakers and parties need to lay out energy plans that include measures to reduce emissions that don't rely on nuclear power.
National / Politics Dec 2, 2014
U.S. base move casts big shadow over election in Okinawa
by Eric Johnston
Just two weeks after voters elected a governor opposed to moving U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko, in the northern part of Okinawa Island, the saga is once again the central political issue in the prefecture. The Nov. 16 victory of former Naha ...
Commentary / Japan Nov 27, 2014
by Jiro Yamaguchi
People should be aware that Japan has such an unstable person in its leadership position, who can make the final decision for the nation to take military action.