Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Sep 9, 2015
Forget Germany — Japan must deal with WWII its own way
by Nicolas Gattig
The onus is on the Japanese to find their own form of moral atonement — and convey it to the world.
National / Politics Sep 9, 2015
Abe mulls early October Cabinet reshuffle to focus on economy after defense bills are passed
In the wake of his reinstatement Tuesday as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party for another three-year term, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to reshuffle his Cabinet and LDP executive posts possibly in early October as part of efforts to push forward his economic ...
National / Politics Sep 8, 2015
The U.S. government is seeking an accord with Japan by the end of this month on revising a bilateral agreement on mutual provision of military goods and services, according to sources. Under the defense cooperation guidelines revised in April, Japan and the United States have ...
National / Politics Sep 4, 2015
Opposition leaders pledge last-ditch efforts to block security bills
by Mizuho Aoki
The leaders of six opposition parties Friday agreed to form a united front in trying to prevent the ruling camp bulldozing two contentious security bills into law. The government and the ruling bloc, which comprises the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, are aiming to have ...
Commentary / Japan Sep 4, 2015
The veiled cause of Abe's legislative predicament
by Masahiro Matsumura
The national debate over the security bills as been limited to constitutional issues but it should also focus on Japan's significantly enhanced responsibilities in the U.S. defense guidelines.
Issues | LABOR PAINS Aug 30, 2015
Should SEALDs student activists worry about not getting hired?
by Hifumi Okunuki
Japanese labor law effectively allows companies to discriminate against prospective employees based on their beliefs.
National Aug 30, 2015
Thousands protest Abe, security bills at Diet rally
by Tomohiro Osaki
In one of the strongest signs of public frustration over controversial security bills likely to be passed by lawmakers next month, thousands of people surrounded the Diet building Sunday afternoon to protest their enactment and call for the resignation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Organized ...
National / Politics | FOCUS Aug 29, 2015
SEALDs student group reinvigorates Japan's anti-war protest movement
by Linda Sieg and Teppei Kasai
Wearing shorts and a baggy T-shirt and clutching a microphone, Aki Okuda stands before a crowd, the pyramid-shaped roof of the Diet building lit up against the night sky behind him. "No War," "Protect the Constitution," "Abe — Quit!," he chants in a hip-hop rhythm, ...
Commentary / Japan Aug 25, 2015
by Jiro Yamaguchi
Japanese voters need to punish politicians who ignore the Constitution, but first a viable alternative to the LDP must be established.
National / Politics Aug 24, 2015
Abe won't visit Beijing for WWII parade
by Reiji Yoshida
Contrary to earlier media reports, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has decided not to visit China in early September, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga says.
National / Politics Aug 20, 2015
LDP lawmaker Takaya Muto quits party over money scandal
by Reiji Yoshida
A Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker who has been accused over an alleged money scandal quit the party on Wednesday after apologizing for "causing great trouble" to the LDP. The lawmaker is Takaya Muto, a Lower House member elected from Shiga Prefecture. He has garnered attention ...
National / Politics Aug 18, 2015
Soka Gakkai members lash Komeito over support for security bills
A growing number of members at Soka Gakkai are publicly criticizing Komeito for supporting Shinzo Abe's controversial security legislation.