National / Politics Jun 20, 2015
Two legal experts defend constitutionality of contentious security bills
Professors say changes are legitimate, and that criticism is irrelevant.
National / Politics Jun 18, 2015
National ruckus over security bills puts spotlight on Supreme Court
by Reiji Yoshida
The verbal war over the national security bills is heating up now that Japan's constitutional scholars have clearly branded Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reinterpretation of war-renouncing Article 9 and all legislation based on it as unconstitutional. But when all is said and done, it will ...
National / Politics Jun 15, 2015
Scholars restate Cabinet condemnation, mock LDP's response
by Reiji Yoshida
Two constitutional scholars who this month rekindled debate over security reforms restate their assessment of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's security bills as unconstitutional.
National / Politics | ANALYSIS Jun 12, 2015
Japan security bills reveal irreconcilable divide between scholars, politicians
by Reiji Yoshida
The full-scale battle over security reform highlights an unbridgeable gap between politicians and scholars that will have to be filled by Japan’s less-than-proactive Supreme Court.
National / Politics Jun 12, 2015
Political veterans warn of crisis in security revamp
by Reiji Yoshida
In a rare show of unity, four veteran politicians from rival parties hold court at the Japan Press Club to speak out against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s security bills.
Commentary / Japan Jun 12, 2015
Media should stop legitimizing Abe's Article 9 'reinterpretation'
by Craig Martin
The media should stop giving the Abe administration's "reinterpretation" of Article 9 a legitimacy and validity that it does not enjoy under Japan's constitutional system.
National / History Jun 12, 2015
As Magna Carta turns 800, scholars reflect on its influence in Japan
by William Hollingworth
Next Monday marks 800 years since an agreement was made between an English king and his feuding barons that was to have long-term ramifications across the world. The Magna Carta of June 15, 1215, by which the English barons curtailed the excessive powers of King ...
National / Politics Jun 10, 2015
Government defends security legislation after experts assail it as unconstitutional
The Abe government countered on Wednesday an assessment by three respected scholars that two security bills it has tabled are unconstitutional. Meanwhile, one opposition lawmaker heaped further criticism on the government, likening the legislation to a "coup" against the nation's legal foundations. In its defense, the ...
National / Politics Jun 8, 2015
Defense chief opposed 'deceiving' people with constitutional 'interpretation techniques'
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani voiced opposition just two years ago to reinterpreting the Constitution in order to end Japan's ban on helping an allied nation defend itself, contradicting the Abe administration's position.
Issues | LAW OF THE LAND Jun 7, 2015
Hey bureaucrats, leave those kids — and teachers — alone
by Colin P.A. Jones
To look at Japan's educational policy in action, you can't help but wonder if insularity and mediocrity might actually be the goal.
National / Politics Jun 5, 2015
Experts' tongue-lashing rekindles Diet debate on reinterpreted Constitution
by Reiji Yoshida
The surprise tongue-lashing in the Diet meted out by three noted constitutional scholars has reignited debate on whether the Cabinet’s reinterpretation of Article 9 last year was legitimate.
National / Politics | ANALYSIS May 28, 2015
Abe says Constitution would rule out full-scale invasion, but 'exceptions' are unclear
by Reiji Yoshida
As debate rages in the Diet over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's security bills, the opposition has identified a key question: Could Japan use force on foreign territory to support the U.S.?