National / Politics Feb 20, 2023
At CDP convention, clarity on opposition cooperation in short supply
by Gabriele Ninivaggi
The opposition party's plan for this year lacks a significant blueprint or concrete signals on how it will build long-term partnerships with other parties.
National Feb 16, 2023
Japan ruling bloc OKs plan to ease rules for weapon use against flying objects
The plan would enable the Self-Defense Forces to fire weapons to secure the safety of air traffic and protect the lives and properties of people on the ground.
Commentary / Japan Feb 16, 2023
Fumio Kishida is succeeding abroad but failing at home
by Michael MacArthur Bosack
Kishida's polling numbers remain in the “caution area,” and there seems to be little opportunity for him to turn things around before local elections in April.
National Feb 13, 2023
64% favor recognizing same-sex marriage in Japan, poll finds
In the telephone survey, 88.4% also said recent remarks hostile to LGBTQ people by an executive secretary to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were inappropriate.
National Feb 13, 2023
Spotlight falls on Japan LGBTQ bill as G7 summit nears
by Eric Johnston
While Kishida has indicated he favors early passage of the bill, opposition from within his own party could make it difficult for it to clear parliament before the May meeting in Hiroshima.
National Feb 12, 2023
Japan's ruling party vows to promote debate on bill for LGBTQ community
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will accelerate discussion on a bill that would promote understanding of sexual minorities, a senior lawmaker said Sunday.
National Feb 9, 2023
LDP said to be divided if Kishida seeks BOJ pivot
by Takashi Hirokawa, Sumio Ito and Toru Fujioka
With the nomination of a new governor likely to come next week, several party members said there will be opposition within the party if Kishida chooses Hirohide Yamaguchi.
National / Politics Feb 7, 2023
LDP flips on LGBTQ bill after gaffe by Kishida aide
by Isabel Reynolds and Yuki Hagiwara
The party will prepare to submit a bill encouraging understanding of LGBTQ issues, seeking to repair the damage from the former aide's discriminatory comments.
National / Politics Feb 5, 2023
Japanese express anger and concern after Kishida aide's anti-LGBTQ remarks
Members of the public, the LGBT community and opposition party lawmakers lambasted the aide, who was fired Saturday, for saying that he would "not want to live next door" to an LGBT couple.
National / Politics Feb 3, 2023
Ex-Japan defense chief Kishi to resign as lawmaker over health issues
Kishi, the younger brother of late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, previously faced concerns over his health when he held the defense portfolio between September 2020 and August 2022.