SEALDs leaves door open for future activities
A day after the breakup of SEALDs, Japan's iconic pro-democracy students' group, members left the door open Tuesday for similar initiatives in the future. As Japan marked the 71st anniversary of its defeat in World War II on Monday, SEALDs, short for Students Emergency Action ...
SEALDs members' next step — launching a think tank
Members of the student group that ignited a massive wave of youth protests last summer against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's security bills are embarking on a new project. Six members of Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy (SEALDs) have announced the launch of a think ...
After controversial security laws comment, Doshisha president loses re-election bid
Koji Murata, the president of Doshisha University in Kyoto Prefecture who drew flak in July for supporting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's security legislation, has lost his bid for re-election. The university said Friday that Murata, 51, a political science professor, will be replaced as president ...
Hoso Daigaku drops security bills-related exam question said to be critical of administration
The Open University of Japan, a distance learning institution, deleted part of an examination question it posted on its website after concluding the phraseology "was inappropriate because it criticizes the current administration," it was learned Tuesday. The question, which was included in an examination on ...
Opposition contests chaotic Upper House vote, assails LDP for amending record of events
Was the vote valid? The chairman's voice was lost amid yelling by opposition lawmakers as he declared the passage of controversial security bills through the Upper House in a special committee session last month. And the shouting is still ongoing, as the opposition camp accuses the ...
Japanese voice frustration, resignation over security shake-up
Members of the public interviewed in and around Tokyo on Saturday expressed disappointment and resignation following the Diet's enactment of the security bills in the early hours. Many said the government of conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had failed in its job to explain the ...
The United States on Friday welcomed Japan's enactment of new laws that ease restrictions on overseas activities of the Self-Defense Forces, including allowing them to help allies even if Japan is not directly attacked. "We welcome Japan's ongoing efforts to strengthen the alliance and play ...
Japanese business groups welcome new security laws as aiding nation's interest
There was a broad welcome by major business organizations of the passage of bills that will expand the role of the Self-Defense Forces abroad. However, one group said ruling party lawmakers need to explain the changes better to a skeptical public. The prevailing mood was ...
On the security bills, let me keep out of it
Though writing about the security bill, I will not mention my own opinion. I am, in fact, opposed to the oxymoronic approach called “collective self-defense,” but I will not tell you so.
Diet enacts security laws, marking Japan's departure from pacifism
Following boisterous confrontations in the Diet and more than three days of public protest, the Upper House finally enacted two divisive security laws early Saturday that will mark a significant departure from Japan's postwar pacifism. Enacting the contentious laws was one of Prime Minister Shinzo ...
The Upper House is expected to enact laws that could allow Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War II. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the changes are needed to address new challenges, including China's growing military assertiveness. Critics say ...
