Reference

Reference | EXPLAINER Feb 23, 2020

The Japanese Communist Party's quest to unify a shattered opposition

by Eric Johnston

Last month, for the first time in 16 years, the Japanese Communist Party met to revise its basic political program. Part of the reason was that the party hopes a change of rhetoric, at least, will make it easier to form an opposition coalition ...

Reference | EXPLAINER Feb 17, 2020

Osaka referendum: Merger gets second chance, but are voters on board?

by Eric Johnston

Five years after voters in the city of Osaka narrowly voted down a referendum on consolidating its 24 wards into five with more autonomy and eliminating the municipal assembly and mayor, another referendum is set for later this year. The merger is the chief political ...