National / Politics Jun 12, 2020
Koike’s first term as Tokyo governor: Eventful, but little to show for it
by Ryusei Takahashi
Each challenge has revealed a new facet of her political persona, and they will also serve as benchmarks against which voters examine her record.
National Mar 25, 2020
LDP mulls support for Yuriko Koike's re-election as Tokyo governor
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering supporting the re-election of Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike in the July 5 gubernatorial poll, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday. LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, who sees Koike as "a candidate who can win," apparently overrode the wish ...
National / Politics Oct 4, 2017
Two Tomin First members quit over Yuriko Koike's leadership style
by Reiji Yoshida
Two founding members of Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites First), a regional party effectively led by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, plan to abandon the party on Thursday citing frustrations over the closed nature of top management, sources said. Shun Otokita and Reiko Ueda, both members ...
National / Politics Sep 20, 2017
New Koike-allied party to field dozens of candidates in Abe's snap election, Wakasa says
A new party envisioned by a lawmaker close to popular Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike plans to field several dozen candidates in an upcoming general election expected for Oct. 22, the lawmaker said Wednesday. Independent lawmaker Masaru Wakasa said on a radio program that he will ...
National / Politics Sep 19, 2017
DP defector and ally of Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike to form new party
A defector from the Democratic Party and an ally of popular Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike reach a broad agreement to launch a new party by Sept. 28.
Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Aug 26, 2017
Koike tests possibilities and perils of populism in Japan
by Jeff Kingston
Abe occupies Koike's ideological comfort zone, so she needs to cannibalize his base to get any traction. It is thus imperative that she presents an alternative policy agenda to highlight their differences and tap into simmering dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Editorials Aug 11, 2017
Opposition parties are once again in realignment mode but it remains to be seen whether they can put together a force capable of defeating the LDP.
Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Aug 5, 2017
Beleaguered Abe on the ropes as support weakens
by Jeff Kingston
The public has seen the true face of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and doesn't like what it sees.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jul 15, 2017
Fundraising loopholes, a political norm
by Philip Brasor
The Liberal Democratic Party lost a large number of seats to Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike's upstart Tomin First Party in the Tokyo assembly election. Media surveys reveal that the public is dismayed by recent scandals involving the LDP, in particular the one surrounding educational ...
National | View from Osaka Jul 15, 2017
Doubt cast over Tomin First's national appeal
by Eric Johnston
"Politics will eventually be replaced by imagery. The politician will be only too happy to abdicate in favor of his image, because the image will be much more powerful than he could ever be." — Marshall McLuhan, in a 1972 interview The resounding victory in the ...