Business Feb 25, 2020
Japan to tighten policy on exporting coal power to developing countries
by Ryusei Takahashi
Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi acknowledges that international pressure is propelling the effort.
Language Feb 25, 2020
Shinjiro Koizumi and the new Japanese father
by Kaori Shoji
Shinjiro Koizumi joins the growing ranks of "ikumen," dads who challenge the norm of the Japanese father by taking stronger interest in raising their kids.
National / Politics Feb 20, 2020
Minister Shinjiro Koizumi says he regrets skipping COVID-19 meeting
Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Wednesday expressed regret for skipping a government meeting on the coronavirus outbreak in favor of a new year party held by a group of his supporters in his hometown. "I sincerely accept the opinion that it was problematic for me ...
National / Social Issues | Commentary Feb 13, 2020
Can Japan kick-start paternity leave among workaholic dads?
by Thisanka Siripala
In January, Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi received worldwide attention after surprising the public with his plan to take parental leave shortly before the birth of his first child. As the son of a former prime minister, Koizumi, 38, is a high-profile politician described as the ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Feb 1, 2020
Shinjiro Koizumi's paternity leave raises a few eyebrows
by Philip Brasor
Shortly before Shinjiro Koizumi’s wife, Christel Takigawa, gave birth to a baby boy last month, the environment minister told reporters during a regular news conference he would be taking time off for paternity leave. It was a revelation that surprised some because after the ...
National / Politics Jan 28, 2020
Heckling at Diet meeting may spur dual surname debate in Japan's LDP
The party’s Fumio Kishida has said that “we should hold discussions as needed” on whether to allow married couples to continue using their respective surnames.
National / Politics Jan 25, 2020
Shinjiro Koizumi backs different surnames for Japanese couples
In a major break with Japanese tradition, Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi expresses support for enabling married couples to use different family names.
National Jan 23, 2020
Shinjiro Koizumi's remarks on Japan's coal plant exports win praise and brickbats
Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's recent remarks raising doubts over the country's coal-fired power plant exports have been met with a backlash from within the government and ruling bloc, while earning favorable responses from opposition lawmakers. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Koizumi pointed out that ...
National Jan 22, 2020
Companies join global calls for Japan to ditch coal-fired power
Japanese companies overwhelmingly feel Japan should shift away from its dependence on coal for power generation even though a third of firms say this would harm their business, a Reuters poll has found — further evidence that the government is out of step with ...
National Jan 22, 2020
Environment Minister Koizumi breaks ranks on Japan's financing of Vietnam coal plant
Environment Minister Koizumi criticized a coal-fired power plant project in Vietnam, calling into question the government’s financial support for the project amid a rising global outcry from climate activists.
National Jan 17, 2020
It’s a boy! Christel Takigawa, wife of minister Shinjiro Koizumi, gives birth
by Ryusei Takahashi
Christel Takigawa, a freelance TV newscaster and wife of Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, gave birth to a boy early Friday morning. "I'm happy and reassured to say a healthy baby boy was born early today," Koizumi told members of the press Friday morning. "Thankfully, both ...