National / Politics Jul 22, 2019
by Tomohiro Osaki
In a post-election news conference, Abe said his longtime goal isn’t out of reach and he will to try to compromise with those working against him.
National / Politics | ANALYSIS Jul 22, 2019
Abe's push to amend Japan's Constitution faces uncertain future after Upper House vote
by Eric Johnston
Undaunted by the failure to capture a two-thirds supermajority in the upper chamber, Abe pushes on with his goal to rewrite the charter, with an eye on Article 9.
National / Politics Jul 22, 2019
Despite a record number of women winning seats in Sunday's Upper House election, some female voters have expressed doubts about the government's commitment to empowering women. In Sunday's election 28 women won seats, matching the figure seen in the previous Upper House election in 2016 ...
National / Politics Jul 22, 2019
Independent candidate opposed to Aegis Ashore missile defense system deployment wins seat in Akita
An independent candidate opposed to the central government's plan to deploy a U.S.-developed missile defense system in Akita Prefecture defeated the ruling party incumbent in the Akita district in Sunday's Upper House election. Shizuka Terata, 40, was jointly fielded by the main opposition forces in ...
Asia Pacific / Politics Jul 22, 2019
North Korea's Kim casts vote in local elections with '99.98%' turnout
by Jesse Johnson
Under the thin veneer of supposedly free elections, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un cast his ballot Sunday in nationwide polls to choose new deputies to the country's local assemblies, state-run media has reported. The official Korean Central News Agency said Monday that Kim had ...
National / Politics Jul 22, 2019
U.S. reiterates commitment to alliance after election, but sticky bilateral trade talks await Abe
The U.S. government reiterated its commitment to strengthening ties with Japan after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition retained a majority in Sunday's Upper House election. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Japan, a friend and ally of the United ...
National / Politics Jul 22, 2019
Voter turnout in Sunday's Upper House election fell short of the 50 percent threshold, topping out at 48.80 percent — the second lowest postwar total — the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said Monday. The low turnout, despite a record number of early ballots for ...
National / Politics Jul 22, 2019
by Tomohiro Osaki
To many voters, the election was a chance to endorse or repudiate the Abe administration’s performance since he returned to power in December 2012.
World / Politics Jul 22, 2019
Amid mass protests and mounting calls to quit, Puerto Rico governor won't seek re-election
Puerto Rico's governor said on Sunday he would not seek re-election next year and would step down as head of his party following nine days of sometimes violent protests demanding his resignation over vulgar chat messages. A day before a planned general strike and more ...
National / Politics Jul 21, 2019
Japan's opposition parties score upset in Akita but lose in Fukushima
Shizuka Terata, an independent jointly backed by four opposition parties, scored a major upset in the Upper House race in Akita Prefecture on Sunday by defeating incumbent Matsuji Nakaizumi of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Kyodo News said. The seat was considered one of the ...
National / Politics | ANALYSIS Jul 21, 2019
After Upper House election, ruling bloc bets political cost of tax hike will be limited
by Eric Johnston
The hike is expected to generate an additional ¥5.7 trillion in annual revenue, of which ¥2.8 trillion will be used to defray the national debt.
National / Politics Jul 21, 2019
Voters express concerns over Constitution, sales tax and lack of viable opposition
by Ryusei Takahashi, Masumi Koizumi and Magdalena Osumi
Constitutional revision, a consumption tax hike and the future of the pension system were on the minds of voters as they took to polling stations across the country to cast their ballots in the triennial Upper House election on Sunday. Reporters from The Japan Times ...