In backing Fumio Kishida, LDP opts for 'stable realist'
Criticized as bland and indecisive following his loss in the September 2020 LDP presidential race, Kishida is seen as having grown tougher and more passionate this time round.
Former education minister Yoshimasa Hayashi vows to switch to Lower House
Former education minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Thursday he will run in the next election for the House of Representatives to switch from the House of Councilors.
Why politicians make the switch from Upper to Lower House
One almost never hears about a Lower House member trying to move to the Upper House, but movement the opposite direction has plenty of precedent.
Tensions flare between LDP factions as Lower House candidates vie for endorsement
Size matters to party factions as it directly affects their influence within the party, and bigger factions tend to win better posts in reshuffles.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to attend bilateral student exchange event with Japan
In a sign of improving relations between Tokyo and Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang plans to attend a bilateral student exchange event with Japan later this month, sources close to diplomatic ties said. From the Japanese side, Yoshimasa Hayashi, minister of education, culture, sports, science ...
Vet school at center of Abe favoritism scandal gets final OK to open
The new veterinary school at the center of favoritism allegations leveled at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has obtained formal approval to open in Ehime Prefecture, education minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tuesday. The approval enables the school operator, run by Abe's close friend Kotaro Kake, to ...
Seiko Noda tops list of biggest asset holders among new Abe Cabinet members
As of Aug. 3, when the revamped Cabinet was launched, Noda held ¥191.93 million in assets, including those held by her family, according to government data.
New education chief looks to repair ministry's tarnished image
The new education minister says he will decide on whether to approve scandal-tainted school operator Kake Gakuen's bid to open a new veterinary department after weighing the results of an ongoing screening by the ministry's panel of experts. "I want to respect the panel's judgment," ...
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will form a group by the end of the month to examine how to best collect and compile economic statistics that are used in key measures including gross domestic product, party lawmaker Yoshimasa Hayashi said. Hayashi, 55, added that he ...
Abe turns to veteran of TPP talks as new farm minister
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe taps a veteran of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations as his new agriculture minister as he seeks to wrap up an agreement this year that will require wringing concessions from the powerful farm lobby.
Improved economic signs support consumption tax hike: Hayashi
Given the improving economic climate, the 3-point consumption tax hike should go ahead as scheduled next April, agriculture minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a business conference Monday. Economic indexes for the April-June quarter say it is "not a red signal, not a yellow signal. I ...
