Editorials Oct 18, 2013
Under its newly elected leader, the Social Democratic Party must go beyond shouting "Protect the pacifist Constitution!" if its mission is to build a more equitable Japanese society.
Issues | LAW OF THE LAND Oct 16, 2013
The wonderful world of Japanese law: Yōkoso to endless discovery
by Colin P.A. Jones
The legal system is designed to keep the order by protecting the old. This is one of the deep structural issues that make it so hard to do new, disruptive things in Japan.
Issues | LABOR PAINS Oct 7, 2013
The Special Dismissal Zone: where legal protections no longer apply
by Hifumi Okunuki
The government's Special Employment Zone wheeze has already been dubbed the Special Dismissal Zone, or kaiko tokku, by the media.
National Oct 2, 2013
In a rare move, a senior U.S. military officer has questioned Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's drive to amend the pacifist Constitution, expressing concern it could adversely affect ties with China and South Korea. "That's not helpful to the region, quite frankly," the officer based in ...
National / Politics Sep 29, 2013
New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi said Sunday the debate over lifting the ban on collective self-defense may affect his party's coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who heads the conservative LDP, is intending to lift the ban by changing the ...
National Sep 21, 2013
Collective self-defense combat in faraway lands unlikely, Onodera says
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera has attempted to dispel concerns that the Self-Defense Forces might use force in a far-off land if Japan lifts its ban on collective self-defense, saying such a scenario isn't being entertained by current debate. The remarks Friday come as the government ...
Editorials Sep 18, 2013
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's approach to changing the government's traditional position on the right to collective self-defense undermines the foundation of Japanese democracy.
Issues | THE FOREIGN ELEMENT Sep 16, 2013
Fukushima and the right to responsible government
by Colin P.A. Jones
A responsibility-shirking government is ultimately the people's problem — and responsibility — just as much as the nuclear disaster and all the nation's other problems are, argues Colin P.A. Jones.
National / Politics Sep 12, 2013
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that Japan must consider what role it should play in global affairs as he expressed a willingness to advance the national debate on lifting the self-imposed ban on collective self-defense. "We will consider and pursue where Japan should stand ...
National / Politics Aug 29, 2013
Abe's collective self-defense ploy may be too hard a sell: New Komeito chief
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's initiative to lift Japan's self-imposed ban on engaging in collective self-defense may not gain public support, New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi suggests
National / Politics Aug 27, 2013
Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso said Tuesday that his recent remark suggesting Japan follow the example of the Nazis in Germany in revising its pacifist Constitution would not affect Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Olympics. "I've already retracted the comment and I think it ...