National Dec 6, 2022
Kishida seeks to hike defense spending by more than 50% over five years
by Jesse Johnson
The new budget would put Japan closer to the target Kishida ordered last week of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense by 2027.
National / Politics Dec 5, 2022
Over 330 prefectural assembly members had ties with Unification Church
Of the 334 prefectural assembly members who admitted to past contact with the Unification Church, 279 belonged to the LDP, 11 to Komeito, and seven each to main opposition parties.
National Dec 2, 2022
Japan ruling bloc agrees on acquiring 'counterstrike capability'
The capability, which would allow Japan to fire upon and disable enemy missiles before they are launched from foreign territory, remains controversial among legal experts.
National / Crime & Legal Nov 29, 2022
Nagano prefectural assembly member arrested as suspect in wife's murder
Daisuke Maruyama, who belongs to the prefectural chapter of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has denied allegations he suffocated his wife to death in September last year.
National Nov 29, 2022
In major shift, Kishida sets defense spending target at 2% of GDP for first time
by Jesse Johnson
Japan has long maintained an informal cap on defense spending of around 1% of GDP, but calls for an increase have grown amid escalating threats from China and North Korea.
National / Politics | ANALYSIS Nov 21, 2022
Kishida's decisiveness in question following resignation of three ministers
by Eric Johnston and Kanako Takahara
While praised for making quick and strong decisions early in his prime ministership, lately Kishida has been criticized for dragging his feet amid scandals.
National / Politics Nov 20, 2022
Kishida Cabinet loses third minister in less than one month
by Eric Johnston
Terada’s exit is likely to further damage the prime minister’s public approval ratings and raise questions about his political future.
National / Politics Nov 20, 2022
Kishida plans to sack third Cabinet minister in under a month, report says
The move to fire internal affairs minister Minoru Terada over funding scandals would deal a yet another blow to the prime minister's already low support ratings.
National Nov 18, 2022
Draft bill in Japan would enable refunds of religious donations
by Kanako Takahara
The bill would enable the children or spouse of the follower of a religious group to claim back some of a donation if it was made under conditions deemed problematic.
National Nov 18, 2022
Japan considers revising strict rules to allow export of lethal weapons
The plan comes as the government has been unable to ship lethal weapons to Ukraine, despite a call for anti-tank missiles from Tokyo after Russia's invasion started in late February.
Commentary / World Nov 16, 2022
Is the clock running out for the prime minister?
by Michael MacArthur Bosack
Will Prime Minister Fumio Kishida be able to recover from his political troubles, or is he on a path to join the party’s long list of short-lived prime ministers?
National / Politics | FOCUS Nov 12, 2022
Kishida fires minister but damage already done to fragile government
by Tomoyuki Tachikawa
Some lawmakers in the prime minister's own party have bashed him for failing to swiftly replace his justice chief, calling into question his leadership abilities.