Koike cruises to win in Tokyo governor race, vowing to continue fight against virus
The governor’s re-election is a tacit sign that a majority of voters in Tokyo trust Koike to continue her battle against the novel coronavirus.
Coronavirus and Tokyo Olympics loom large in race to lead capital
Major candidates generally agree on strengthening the capital's medical capacity in preparation for a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
A week before Tokyo gubernatorial election, Koike takes commanding lead in polls
It appears the incumbent’s strategy — taking advantage of her popularity by running a defensive campaign — is working.
Tokyo gubernatorial candidates face off in first joint news conference
With candidates taking every chance they could to target incumbent Gov. Yuriko Koike, the initial debate may foreshadow how the election campaigns will proceed.
Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto to run for Tokyo governor
The actor-turned-politician has pledged to make the cancellation of the Tokyo Games his first order of business should he be elected in the July 5 poll.
Taro Yamamoto blurs the popular line on climate change
Climate change is not much of a social issue in Japan. Even in the wake of three recent weather-related disasters, there has been little discussion across the political spectrum that climate change contributed to them. In Europe and the United States, left-leaning groups demand ...
Abe rival Taro Yamamoto says Japan's sales tax hike is 'crazy' and should be abolished
Just as Japan braces itself for a hike in the sales tax to 10 percent on Oct. 1, one of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's would-be rivals is calling for it to be abolished altogether. Taro Yamamoto, a former actor who is now the leader of ...
Reiwa Shinsengumi chief says fledgling party ready to cooperate with other opposition forces
New political party Reiwa Shinsengumi is ready to cooperate with other parties under certain conditions for the House of Representatives election, leader Taro Yamamoto said in a recent interview. "We're willing to join forces with other opposition parties in the Lower House election if an ...
Is populism finally coming to Japan?
The success of leftist party Reiwa Shinsengumi marks a turning point in Japanese politics.
Actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto aims for real-life starring role as future Japan PM
Actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto is angling for a new real-life role in which he leads his novice party and allies to victory, ousts long-ruling conservatives and takes over as prime minister within the next few years. Whether or not he can achieve that ambitious target, Yamamoto ...
Reiwa Shinsengumi makes splash in Japanese election debut, giving voice to people with disabilities
A new anti-establishment group led by actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto made a surprisingly strong showing in the Upper House election Sunday, reflecting a sense of stagnation and growing public frustration with vested interests in the country. Reiwa Shinsengumi candidates Yasuhiko Funago, 61, who has Lou Gehrig's ...
Two Reiwa Shinsengumi candidates with disabilities win Upper House seats
Two candidates with severe disabilities belonging to the opposition group Reiwa Shinsengumi won seats in the Upper House election on Sunday, scoring an important victory for disabled people in a country where they have long been encouraged to stay in the shadows. In addition, the ...
