National / Politics | FOCUS Mar 22, 2023
Can Nippon Ishin 'skip' to true national political prominence?
by Eric Johnston
The Osaka-born party faces a make-or-break moment in next month’s series of local elections across the nation.
Commentary / Japan Mar 15, 2023
Squaring the circle of same-sex marriage in Japan
by Gearoid Reidy
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is being drawn into a debate on marriage equality ahead of the G7 summit. Could he turn it into an opportunity?
National / Politics | FOCUS Mar 9, 2023
Ten years on, reconstruction tax continues to stir debate
by Gabriele Ninivaggi
Critics have increasingly pointed out misuse of the budget, resulting in growing demands across the political spectrum for stricter criteria for allocating funds.
National / Social Issues Mar 8, 2023
Would gender quotas for lawmakers work in Japan?
by Tomoko Otake
Experts both at home and abroad say quotas are the fastest way to achieve gender equality in politics, but there are many factors at play, both legally and culturally.
Business Mar 5, 2023
Senior LDP lawmaker says any new BOJ accord would be disruptive
Asked about rising prices, fueled by higher energy costs and supply chain disruptions, Hiroshige Seko said the LDP plans to put forth a package of measures worth as much as ¥5 trillion.
National / Politics Mar 4, 2023
Former PM Suga to head cross-party group promoting Japan-South Korea ties
The appointment of a former prime minister is aimed at facilitating lawmaker-level exchanges at a time when Tokyo and Seoul are stepping up efforts to resolve long-festering disputes.
National / Politics Mar 3, 2023
LDP's Sanae Takaichi says file pointing to political pressure on media 'fabricated'
Takaichi pledged to quit as a lawmaker if the document, made public by an opposition member of parliament, is proven to be authentic.
National Mar 3, 2023
Anger among Japan's opposition over plan to clear student debt for having babies
by Marika Katanuma and Low De Wei
On social media, opposition politicians and others said the proposal discriminated against those who don’t — or can’t — have children.
Business Mar 3, 2023
Kishida urges extra inflation-relief steps as Japan's households struggle
by Kantaro Komiya and Tetsushi Kajimoto
The news comes as households grapple with intensifying cost-of-living pressures amid elevated inflation for items such as energy and food, hitting consumption and smaller businesses.
National / Politics Mar 3, 2023
Why Japan couldn’t send its foreign minister to a key G20 meeting
by Gabriele Ninivaggi
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi’s absence from a Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting has become a matter of controversy.
Commentary / Japan Mar 2, 2023
The paradox that is Fumio Kishida’s leadership
by Michael MacArthur Bosack
Lucky for Prime Minister Kishida, the Japanese public does not see a viable alternative to the LDP for running the government.
National / Politics Feb 27, 2023
Yamaguchi by-election puts spotlight on dynastic politics
by Eric Johnston
Nobuchiyo Kishi thought reminding voters of his politician relatives was a good move, but he has been accused of just taking over the family business and not caring about voters' problems.