Politics
Abe admits involvement in guest selection for cherry blossom viewing party
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe acknowledged Wednesday that he was involved in the guest selection process for a publicly funded cherry blossom viewing party, drawing criticism from the opposition that the public event was used for election campaigning. The prime minister was allowed to recommend as many as 1,000 guests with… Read
Conservatives submit ex-imperial member restoration proposal to Abe
A conservative group within Japan's ruling party on Tuesday submitted to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a proposal to allow men from now-abolished collateral branches of the imperial family to rejoin it, as part of measures to ensure stable succession. With the heirs to the Chrysanthemum Throne limited to only three… Read
Japan needs extra budget of over ¥10 tril: LDP No. 2 Nikai
Japan needs to compile an extraordinary budget of more than 10 trillion yen ($92 billion) for the current fiscal year through March in a bid to bolster the economy, a senior ruling party official said Tuesday. "As uncertainty grows about the economic outlook, (the government) cannot remove the public's anxiety… Read
Abe sets record as longest-serving PM as allegations of misdeeds persist
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became Japan's longest-serving premier on Wednesday, a remarkable feat for a leader who once quit in humiliation, but the day was marred by questions about possible election law violations and worries about the economy. Abe, 65, who served his first term for just one year before… Read
Japan's lower house passes U.S. trade deal; auto tariffs still in question
The lower house of the Diet on Tuesday approved a limited trade deal Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed with the United States, clearing the way for tariff cuts next year on items including U.S. farm goods and Japanese machine tools. But there is uncertainty over how much progress Japan can… Read
Abe ties record for Japan's longest-serving PM
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tied Japan's record for longest-serving premier on Tuesday - a remarkable feat for a leader who once quit in humiliation - amid economic worries and allegations that he violated election laws. Abe, 65, has won relatively high marks for his diplomacy. His warm ties with U.S.… Read
Japan hosts arms show looking for an edge in tech
Japan's first ever fully fledged arms show opened on Monday, creating a forum that Japan's government hopes will help it tap technology it needs to counter threats posed by China and North Korean. Some 200 protesters gathered near the entrance of the convention center near Tokyo, calling for the government-backed… Read
Abe's approval rating wilts amid accusations of party funding
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's approval rating has taken a hit in the past month, a media poll shows, amid opposition accusations that his office may have violated political spending laws. Allegations that his political office sponsored a party for supporters are the latest in a string of gift-giving scandals… Read
Nixon told Kissinger pact allowing nuclear weapons into Okinawa 'satisfactory'
U.S. President Richard Nixon told national security adviser Henry Kissinger that a secret pact with Japan allowing his country to bring nuclear weapons into Okinawa in times of emergency was "very satisfactory," a declassified U.S. document has revealed. Nixon said it in a memorandum for Kissinger, dated Nov 24, 1969,… Read
Kono tells U.S. no one could be optimistic about North Korea
Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono told his U.S. and South Korea counterparts on Sunday that"no one could be optimistic about North Korea," shortly after Washington and Seoul announced plans to postpone upcoming military drills in a bid to encourage stalled peace efforts. "No one could be optimistic about North Korea.… Read
