History | JAPAN TIMES GONE BY Dec 31, 2020
A prime minister steps aside after being blamed for a series of blunders related to the previous year's catastrophes.
National Nov 8, 2020
Japanese opposition parties watch for possible policy changes by Biden
Opposition parties said Sunday they are closely monitoring possible changes in America's foreign policy that could be brought by Biden.
National / Politics Jul 6, 2020
Opposition laments failure to unite after Koike wins big in Tokyo election
Parties pledge to field unified candidates against the ruling coalition in the next Lower House election.
National / Politics Feb 23, 2020
Japan's Social Democratic Party looks to the past in picking Mizuho Fukushima for top post
The Social Democratic Party elected Mizuho Fukushima as its new leader at a party convention on Saturday, placing her back in the top position after a previous stint from 2003 to 2013. Fukushima's leadership will be tested during her two-year term at a time when ...
National / Politics | FOCUS Feb 16, 2020
As Japan's top opposition parties weigh merger, once-powerful SDP faces tough road ahead
The small opposition Social Democratic Party, once the key rival of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is struggling to hold on to its status as a force to be reckoned with in Japanese politics. Since early December, the SDP had been discussing an integration proposal ...
National / Politics Jan 20, 2020
Japan opposition submits bill to scrap casino laws amid bribery scandal
Opposition parties are set to grill the government over the controversial handling of public documents pertaining to a state-funded cherry blossom-viewing party as well.
National / Politics Dec 30, 2019
How socialism and the left wing failed in Japan
by Masahiko Fukada
Three decades ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Malta Summit signified the end of the Cold War and the defeat of left-wing forces, including the socialists and communists. The communists lost power in the East, and the socialist parties in the West ...
Reference | FYI Dec 15, 2019
Could merger talks finally produce a credible opposition force in Japan?
by Eric Johnston
With the close of the extraordinary Diet session on Dec. 9, some of the largest opposition parties once again entered talks about merging before year's end, with an eye toward increasing their seats in the next general election. Here's a look at the talks ...
National / Politics Jun 25, 2019
Abe Cabinet survives no-confidence motion in Lower House over handling of pension report
Opposition parties launched a last-ditch offensive before the Diet session ends, taking aim at what they say is a failure to address concerns about the nation’s pension system.
National Nov 5, 2018
Malicious descriptions about North and South Korean groups temporarily displayed on Google Maps
Malicious descriptions, such as one targeting the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, or Chongryon, were displayed temporarily on Google Maps, it was learned Sunday. Chongryon's Tokyo headquarters was described as criminal on the online map, while the former Tokyo headquarters site of ...
National / Politics Jul 14, 2016
SDP leader Yoshida to resign over Upper House election defeat
Social Democratic Party leader Tadatomo Yoshida said Thursday he will step down as head of the small opposition party to take the blame for its poor showing in Sunday's Upper House election. "I'm keenly aware of the responsibility (for the election showing) as the party ...