Tag - state-secrets-law

 
 

STATE SECRETS LAW

EDITORIALS
Dec 11, 2014
Worries about secrets law linger
As Japan's state secrets law finally takes effect a year after it was enacted, much of the concern that many people had about the legislation remains unaddressed.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 28, 2014
Musical points to sinister nuclear implications
A recent court-themed musical staged in Tokyo was, to say the least, an audacious dig at the contentious state secrets law scheduled to take effect in December.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 28, 2014
Young protesters rap state secrets law as movement gains rhythm
"Don't give up the fight! Stand up for your right!"
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 26, 2014
More distrust, less harmony if law pits local patriarchs against Tokyo secrecy fetishists
With the state secrets law about to take effect, a fundamental question awaits: When is a “state” secret no longer merely national and starts to infringe upon “local” autonomy?
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Oct 26, 2014
Kansai's fears of new law no state secret
With less than two months to go until the new designated state secrets law comes into force, how, exactly, it will work in practice is the subject of extensive debate and concern. Much of the commentary focuses on how the fundamental rights of individuals will be affected.
EDITORIALS
Oct 19, 2014
Secrets for the making
The government has adopted guidelines for implementing the state secrets law on Dec. 10, but the lack of an effective mechanism to prevent the arbitrary designation of information as a state secret threatens the very foundation of Japan's democracy.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jul 30, 2014
Fukushima disaster colors A-bomb anniversaries
Over the past three years, the atomic bombing anniversaries in August have increasingly become a time to ask new questions.
EDITORIALS
Jul 28, 2014
Weak state secrets oversight
An expert panel's proposal to create at least two oversight bodies staffed by Japanese bureaucrats falls far short of what's needed to prevent the arbitrary designation of government information as state secrets.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / HOTLINE TO NAGATACHO
Jul 23, 2014
Use your vote to dismantle shields that protect nuclear firms from post-Fukushima liability
Two tenable shields are being created to protect nuclear power companies. The first is the state secrets law. The second is the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage.
EDITORIALS
Jan 30, 2014
Calling Abe to account
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito should refrain from ramrodding their proposals through the Diet as they did with the state state secrets bill during the recent extradordinary Diet session.
EDITORIALS
Jan 29, 2014
Momii unfit to lead NHK
Recent remarks by new NHK Chairman Katsuto Momii on 'comfort women' and NHK's duty to toe the government line show that his appointment was a mistake. He should resign or the NHK Board of Governors should remove him.
EDITORIALS
Jan 11, 2014
Perilous times for journalists
Given its recent enactment of the state secrets protection law, how soon will Japan start to appear on the annual lists of imprisoned journalists put out by the Committee to Protect Journalists?
EDITORIALS
Jan 7, 2014
LDP's secrecy law propaganda
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is rebutting newspaper articles that have criticized the recently enacted state secrets protection law. But its documented arguments are far from convincing.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jan 6, 2014
The empire strikes back: the top issues for non-Japanese in 2013
2013 saw the enfranchised elite consolidating their power further than has ever been seen in the postwar era, while Japan's disenfranchised peoples slipped ever lower down the totem pole, becoming targets of suspicion, fear and loathing.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 2, 2014
Public's reaction to 'betrayal'
In light of the recent enact of the state secrets protectiion law, it is urgent that Japan improve its handling and disclosure of government information.
JAPAN / YEAR IN REVIEW 2013
Dec 25, 2013
A look back at the year's top 10 Japan news stories
Japan Times editors selected the following domestic stories as the most important in 2013.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Dec 23, 2013
Secrets, lies, gaffes, glory: 2013 in quotes
A mix of scandals, achievements, political missteps and commemorations highlighted 2013. Here's a rundown of the quotations that shaped the Year of the Snake.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Dec 21, 2013
Protecting nature to protect ourselves
This month's column takes an intrepid look at efforts to expand protected areas in Japan and worldwide, areas that are essential to conserve biological diversity and mitigate natural disasters.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 20, 2013
Dictatorship of the majority
Japanese civic movements conspicuously picked up steam to oppose the state secrets bill just before its enactment into law, illustrating that many Japanese voters become critical of the Abe administration when it takes up issues other than the economy.
COMMUNITY / Issues
Dec 18, 2013
A secrets law for whom? Look who gets a free pass
Ancient Confucian scholars regarded law as a necessary evil, something used on lower orders of people who lacked the moral refinement to act righteously without prompting. Yet this just states a basic truth about law: It is something we do to other people. You and I know how to act properly, right? It's...

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji