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September 01, 2025
 

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TARO KONO

While not the most outspoken politician on the issue, digital minister Taro Kono has a track record of being serious in his commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change / OUR PLANET
May 19, 2024
The politicians moving Japan forward on climate
In the halls of power, climate-friendly voices may be few and far between, but some in politics are pushing for more aggressive action on decarbonization.
A polling station is set up at the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai for the Lower House elections in October 2021. Japanese nationals living abroad have to travel to diplomatic missions that serve as polling stations to cast their votes during elections.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 30, 2024
Internet voting for Japanese abroad remains a distant prospect
Apart from the need to revise an existing law, concerns remain over the integrity of online identity verification and the confidentiality of votes.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida awaits the results of a no-confidence vote against his Cabinet in the country's parliament on Dec. 13.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 2, 2024
Unpacking the LDP's expected leadership race
LDP politicians are already talking about a leadership change, and the polls have shifted to who the public wants to see in the prime minister’s office.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 2, 2024
Who might succeed Fumio Kishida in 2024?
Several names have emerged as potential candidates for prime minister in the wake of a political funds scandal enveloping the LDP.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 29, 2023
Despite low approval ratings, Kishida likely to keep top job
While the situation around the government warrants no optimism, experts agree the prime minister has no reason to fret.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Aug. 4.
JAPAN
Aug 10, 2023
Kishida Cabinet approval drops to 26.6%: Jiji poll
The rate of disapproval grew 8.1 points to 47.4%, the highest since Kishida became prime minister in October 2021.
PODCAST / deep dive
Aug 10, 2023
Why is modernizing Japan so darn tough?
Reporter Gabriele Ninivaggi joins us to break down how Japan’s digitalization hiccups risk exposing how backward things are.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 8, 2023
My Number report highlights errors by insurers and local governments
Roughly 20% of surveyed local governments followed the wrong procedures when linking My Number with disability records.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 26, 2023
My Number woes put digital minister Taro Kono under pressure
Another misstep could deal a further blow to the administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and jeopardize the political standing of Kono.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 12, 2023
My Number troubles are turning into a bigger headache for the government
Opinion polls have indicated latent public dissatisfaction with how the Kishida administration has been handling the matter.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 8, 2023
Kishida considering reshuffling Cabinet around mid-September
Kishida is apparently aiming to strengthen his administration through personnel changes at a time when his Cabinet's approval ratings have fallen.
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2023
Okinawa governor visits China in latest show of regional diplomacy
Denny Tamaki's initiatives seek to increase Okinawa's diplomatic leverage, with the prefecture situated on the front line of diplomatic and military tensions.
JAPAN
Jun 23, 2023
Taro Kono expects 'big benefit' from use of AI by central government
The digital minister is eager to promote the active use of generative artificial intelligence by government workers.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 22, 2023
Kishida looks ahead amid speculation over Cabinet reshuffle and LDP leadership changes
Both moves, if made, would be aimed at boosting the prime minister's popularity and strengthening his position within the LDP ahead of an autumn parliament session.
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2023
My Number cards found linked to accounts of family members, not card holders
The Digital Agency has warned on its website that it is not possible to register parents' bank accounts for their children to receive public benefits.
JAPAN
May 23, 2023
My Number mistakenly linked with wrong bank accounts
There has been no actual damage from the series of mistakenly linked accounts since no payments of public benefits were made to them.
BUSINESS
May 16, 2023
On busy G7 agenda, generative AI still looms large
The Group of Seven leaders are set to discuss the rise of artificial intelligence applications, such as ChatGPT, and how more nations are regulating cross-border data flows.
JAPAN
May 15, 2023
ChatGPT misidentifies digital minister pushing AI use in Japan
ChatGPT failed to correctly identify digital minister Taro Kono, even as he advocates for more use of artificial intelligence to help overcome labor shortages caused by a population decline.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
May 9, 2023
Motegi attempts to raise profile in possible challenge to Kishida
The powerful LDP Secretary-General, however, is not seen as a favorable choice for prime minister by many in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 5, 2023
Could Arfiya Eri be a sign of change for the Liberal Democratic Party?
The 34-year-old Kitakyushu native has a mixed heritage and diverse political views that could help boost the ruling party and freshen up its image.
Top Japan trade negotiator canceled U.S. trip over rice, report says
Ryosei Akazawa
‘Mount Fuji Lawson’ becomes a symbol of Japan’s overtourism problem
A couple poses for a wedding photo in front of a Lawson in the town of Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Aug. 25.
Philippine bid to acquire used Japanese warships gains steam
Tokyo is looking to transfer Abukuma-class vessels to the Philippines as part of broader efforts to boost the defense capabilities of like-minded neighbors amid growing Chinese military assertiveness in the region.
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals
Foreign tourists at Narita Airport in June. A report released Friday stresses that Japan is at a turning point and that current ad-hoc measures on immigration are no longer sufficient.
The Nobel Prize and a testy phone call: How the Trump-Modi relationship unraveled
U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greet one another at the start of a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington in February.
‘Mount Fuji Lawson’ becomes a symbol of Japan’s overtourism problem
A couple poses for a wedding photo in front of a Lawson in the town of Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Aug. 25.
How Tokyo's Ueno Zoo helps their animals cope with extreme heat
A polar bear at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Thursday. The Arctic animals are among the most vulnerable species to Japan's scorching summer heat and zookeepers have to take a number of precautions in order to keep them safe.
Japan is warming up to tattoos — just not permanent ones
Tattoos have a complex history in Japan, but new types of temporary ink are letting locals curious about body art experiment without the commitment.
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals
Foreign tourists at Narita Airport in June. A report released Friday stresses that Japan is at a turning point and that current ad-hoc measures on immigration are no longer sufficient.
Japan looks to build drone ‘shield’ in record defense budget request
A group of Ground Self-Defense Force service members discuss drone operations and capabilities at a joint static display during the Orient Shield 24 opening ceremony at the Yausubetsu Training Area in Hokkaido in July last year.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past
By Alex K.T. Martin

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