National Nov 16, 2019
The government’s decision to finance the Daijosai ceremony with state funds draws criticism from experts, who claim the move was taken with undue speed in order to avoid reigniting controversy over the Constitution.
National / Politics Nov 15, 2019
LDP might delay talks on constitutional referendum bill to avoid Diet extension that could hurt Abe
The drive to change the process for revising the Constitution is being blunted by fears the opposition will get more time to dig up dirt on Abe’s cherry blossom scandal.
National / Crime & Legal Nov 14, 2019
Tokyo court rejects damages suit over law forcing married couples to share a surname
The Tokyo District Court on Thursday rejected a damages suit filed by three couples who argued that the country's law forcing married couples to use the same surname is unconstitutional. The Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court upheld the constitutionality of the relevant provisions ...
National Oct 23, 2019
Constitution seen as highest hurdle for proposed SDF mission to Middle East
The government faces a series of challenges dispatching Self-Defense Forces to the Middle East, in particular whether such activities would be consistent with the Constitution in the event of their possible involvement in armed conflict. The government has begun a full appraisal of such details ...
National / Crime & Legal Oct 23, 2019
Three arrested at anti-imperial rallies in Tokyo protesting emperor's enthronement ceremony
Three people were arrested Tuesday as citizens opposed to the imperial system rallied in the upscale Ginza district of Tokyo and other areas, protesting the emperor's enthronement ceremony held at the Imperial Palace the same day, police said. The three were arrested on suspicion of ...
Reference | EXPLAINER Oct 18, 2019
Pomp and splendor: What to expect from the ceremonies for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement
by Sakura Murakami
To the joy of some, and perhaps the surprise of others, next Tuesday is a one-off national holiday. While some may happily take the day off, it is also the day when dignitaries from across Japan and the world will gather in Tokyo to witness ...
National / Politics Oct 4, 2019
Abe opens Diet session with call for social welfare reform for all generations
by Sakura Murakami
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe kicks off the extraordinary Diet session by tweaking his social welfare vows to appeal more to seniors and people with disabilities as he targets Article 9.
National / Politics Oct 3, 2019
LDP open to ideas on Constitution from other parties, says head of revision panel Hiroyuki Hosoda
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will respond flexibly to constitutional revision proposals from other parties, the LDP's leader on the matter said. Hiroyuki Hosoda, who made a comeback as head of the LDP Headquarters for the Promotion of Revision of the Constitution last month, mentioned ...
National / Politics Oct 3, 2019
Abe clears decks for debate on amending Japan's Constitution
by Eric Johnston
When the extraordinary Diet session convenes on Friday, 15 government-sponsored bills are expected to be submitted — one of the lowest totals since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's second stint started — reflecting his administration's determination to focus its energy on revising the Constitution. But coming ...
National / Politics Sep 22, 2019
Abe to appoint more liberal LDP members to key posts in bid to spur talks on constitutional reform
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to place less conservative members of his ruling party in important posts related to amending the Constitution.