Tag - taro-kono

 
 

TARO KONO

Digital minister Taro Kono attends an Upper House committee session in June. The cautioning of Kono over his use of his smartphone to respond to a question in the Upper House last November attracted significant attention and led to a bipartisan call for digital transformation within parliament.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 4, 2024
Digitalization advances gradually in Japan's parliament
Improvement plans have been adopted but certain practices, such as the use of tablets at the podium during plenary sessions, remain off-limits.
Digital minister Taro Kono, who is contesting the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, shows a board saying "accomplishment of reformation" during a debate in Tokyo on Sept. 14.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 25, 2024
How Taro Kono lost his mojo
Recent polls have shown the digital minister trailing behind his eight other rivals in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race.
Candidates for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election take part in a debate in Tokyo on Saturday. Of the nine candidates, three — Takayuki Kobayashi, Taro Kono, and Shigeru Ishiba — have been particularly vocal with their views on the country's energy strategy.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 19, 2024
LDP presidential hopefuls face tough choices on Japan's energy future
Candidates must decide what role nuclear power will play in the government's long-term energy strategy.
Liberal Democratic Party presidential election candidates after a campaign event in Nagoya on Saturday
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 18, 2024
LDP leader candidates split on separate surnames for married couples
While party conservatives worry about damaging family unity, others say it’s time to push through a legislative change.
Candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election take part in a debate in Tokyo on Saturday. On Monday evening, they took part in an online debate, during which they each made a case for what the top priority should be for Japan's next prime minister.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2024
LDP presidential hopefuls lay out priorities for PM in online debate
Regional revitalization, work-life balance and the clarification of the Self-Defense Forces' position in the Constitution count among candidates' top policy concerns.
Candidates for Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election stand together onstage at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 15, 2024
LDP presidential hopefuls outline approach to U.S. and China concerns
The nine candidates jostled over the best way to resolve Nippon Steel's contentious bid for U.S. Steel, while also grappling with the Chinese military challenge.
(From left) Economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, digital minister Taro Kono, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi pose for photographs at the ruling party's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 13, 2024
LDP presidential candidates field questions on political reform and economy
At their first joint news conference after the start of campaigning, they gave their views on party and political reform and argued for a strong economic strategy.
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, is one of two contenders who have consistently outperformed other candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race in recent polls conducted both among the general public and LDP supporters.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 11, 2024
Nine hopefuls vie for LDP presidency in complex election
The leadership race is the most crowded in the ruling party’s history and one of its most unpredictable in decades.
The Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race is expected to have a record number of candidates.
COMMENTARY / Japan / Perspectives
Sep 8, 2024
Unpacking Japan’s messy leadership election
With so many candidates and old rules gone, brace for the most unpredictable LDP race in ages
Digital transformation minister Taro Kono speaks at a news conference on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2024
LDP leadership hopefuls campaign across Japan
Six LDP members have declared their bids for the party presidency so far, with more expected in the coming days.
Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a news conference in Tokyo on Friday, ahead of the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 7, 2024
U.S. opposition to Nippon Steel deal 'very unsettling,' PM hopeful Ishiba says
Some experts say blocking the deal could undermine U.S.-Japan cooperation on national security, and put the lie to the notion of "ally shoring."
Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a supporters meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 30.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 5, 2024
Taxes and political reform in focus in upcoming LDP campaign
The candidates’ recipes to put the economy back on track after decades of low growth are varied, with some emphasizing redistribution and others promising no tax hikes.
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 3, 2024
Anti-nuclear energy stance fades among LDP presidential hopefuls
Candidates' apparent shift in policy stance on nuclear power may be part of a strategy to win the leadership race.
Digital minister Taro Kono announces his intention to run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election during a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 30, 2024
Is Kono, the only faction-backed candidate to lead LDP, still a maverick?
It's unclear whether his recent call for the return of slush funds pocketed by former faction members represents his true beliefs or a strategic move.
Digital minister Taro Kono speaks during a news conference to announce his candidacy in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 26, 2024
Taro Kono joins contest for LDP presidency
Touting his international credentials, the digital minister put economic reform at the top of his agenda, pledging to cut publicly funded projects that are ineffective.
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 25, 2024
Once allies, Ishiba, Kono and Koizumi set to battle for LDP president votes
The three, dubbed the "Koishikawa coalition" after kanji characters from each of their last names, will jostle for party member support in the Sept. 27 election.
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who is expected to run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election, is likely to get support from former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 22, 2024
Ex-PM Suga likely to back Shinjiro Koizumi in LDP leadership race
Suga appears to be reluctant to support digital transformation minister Taro Kono, meanwhile.
Digital minister Taro Kono at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo in September 2023
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 19, 2024
LDP presidential hopefuls' first hurdle — securing 20 signatures
Each needs to garner support from 20 LDP lawmakers before the registration deadline for them to stand in next month's election.
LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and LDP Vice President Taro Aso attend an executive meeting in Tokyo on July 23.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 15, 2024
With resignation, Kishida looks to LDP's political future
Once it became clear that his chances of winning the September vote were minimal, Kishida chose to prioritize the party’s interests.
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visits Yasukuni Shrine on Thursday in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 15, 2024
Kishida clears the way for ministers to campaign in LDP election
Prospective candidates are weighing whether they can gather the necessary endorsements and rake in enough votes to have a decent shot at winning.

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