Politics
Japan gov't spokesman's secretary to quit over drink-driving ticket
A secretary to Japan's top government spokesperson intends to resign after receiving a traffic ticket for driving under the influence, his boss Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said in a statement Saturday. In an apology to the public regarding his policy secretary's conduct, Matsuno said he takes the matter "very… Read
Japan to join U.S. efforts to curb high-end chip exports to China
Japan and the Netherlands have agreed to join the United States in limiting exports of high-end semiconductor technology to China, U.S. and Dutch media reported. The deal was struck after the United States in October unveiled sweeping export controls on certain advanced chips that could be used by China to… Read
EU official says Russia shifting war focus to NATO and the West
A senior EU official said Friday that Russia has taken its war against Ukraine to "a different stage" by making indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets, while criticizing Moscow for triggering recent moves by Germany and the United States to send advanced tanks to Ukraine. Stefano Sannino, Secretary General… Read
Kishida says return to deflation can't be ruled out
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday that a return to deflation in the world's third-largest economy cannot be ruled out, because domestic demand remains weak. The comment came hours after data showed Tokyo's consumer inflation, a leading indicator of Japanese price trends, hit a 42-year high in January,… Read
Japan tightens Russia sanctions after deadly missile strikes in Ukraine
Japan tightened sanctions against Russia on Friday following its latest wave of missile attacks in Ukraine, adding goods to an export ban list and freezing the assets of Russian officials and entities. The decision comes after Russia launched missile attacks in Ukraine killing at least 11 people on Thursday following… Read
Kishida cautious about same-sex marriage
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday struck a cautious tone about legally recognizing same-sex marriage in line with other Group of Seven countries that have already adopted the practice. "We need to be extremely careful in considering the matter as it could affect the structure of family life in… Read
Japan's top finance diplomat calls Ukraine responses G7 top priority
Japan, this year's chair of the Group of Seven (G7), expects Russia's invasion of Ukraine to dominate talks among the world's major advanced economies, its top finance diplomat, Masato Kanda, told Reuters. "Sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine will be a top priority at G7 financial leaders' meetings under Japan's… Read
Kishida to consider visiting Ukraine if right conditions are met
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday that he will consider visiting Ukraine to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if the right conditions are met. "Nothing has been decided at this point, but we will consider" whether to visit Ukraine depending on "various circumstances," Kishida said at a parliamentary… Read
Ex-PM Mori casts doubt on Japan's excessive support for Ukraine
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, known as a gaffe-prone veteran politician, on Wednesday urged the government against excessive support for Ukraine, saying Russia will not lose its ongoing war in the Eastern European nation. "I wonder why" Japan has put in "such a big effort to support Ukraine," the… Read
Opposition questions Kishida in Diet over tax hike plan
Japan's opposition bloc on Wednesday stepped up its offensive against Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over his government's plan to raise taxes to boost defense spending, arguing the decision was made without sufficient parliamentary debate. In the first full-fledged debate since the ordinary parliamentary session began Monday, Kishida only repeated his… Read
