Politics
Former women's empowerment minister Noda to run for LDP leadership
Japan's former women's empowerment minister Seiko Noda announced her last-minute run for leadership of the ruling party on Thursday, the day before campaigning begins. The winner of the Sept 29 vote will become prime minister days later and lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) into a general election by late… Read
China submits application to join TPP free trade deal
China has submitted an application to become a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal, the Commerce Ministry said Thursday, in a move that would have a significant impact on trade in the Asia-Pacific region. But it remains uncertain whether China will be allowed to join the free trade… Read
Ruling party factions to allow free vote in leadership election
Nearly all major factions in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party plan to allow members to vote for whoever they prefer in the party's upcoming leadership election, as candidates on Wednesday stepped up preparations for the race to choose Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's successor. With six of the LDP's seven major… Read
Suga says N Korean missile launches threaten Japan's security
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday strongly condemned North Korea's launch of two ballistic missiles off its east coast as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, telling reporters in Tokyo it "threatened the peace and security of Japan and the region" and was "completely inexcusable." The missiles did… Read
Japan, U.S., S Korea call on N Korea to return to arms talks
Senior diplomats from Japan, the United States and South Korea urged North Korea on Tuesday to return to talks over its missile and nuclear development, a day after it announced it successfully tested new long-range cruise missiles, indicating an advancement of its military capabilities. The three-way meeting in Tokyo was… Read
China urges Japan's PM candidates not to meddle in internal affairs
China on Tuesday urged candidates for Japan's next prime minister not to interfere in the country's internal affairs, a day after one of them pledged to create a new key post to tackle its alleged human rights violations. "China's internal affairs cannot allow any foreign interference. Japanese politicians should stop… Read
Kishida singles out China threat
Japan’s former top diplomat and candidate to head its ruling party said Monday that he supports boosting Tokyo's defense budget amid China's growing assertiveness in the region. Ex-Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida proposed raising defense spending, possibly above Japan's longstanding cap of 1% of gross domestic product. “The security environment surrounding… Read
Biden, leaders of Australia, India, Japan to meet in person
President Joe Biden is set to host the leaders of Australia, India and Japan for a four-way meeting later this month to strategize about COVID-19, climate change and other issues. Spokesperson Jen Psaki announced Monday that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister… Read
Japan's main opposition party vows to realize separate surname option
Japan's main opposition on Monday vowed to give couples the option of keeping their surnames separate after marriage among other reform proposals ahead of the general election. Yukio Edano, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said the party seeks to realize a society without discrimination as it announced… Read
Vietnam in same boat, says Japan defense minister amid China's rise
Japan and Vietnam share "the same destiny" and should boost defense cooperation for regional stability based on the rule of law, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said Sunday, amid China's increasingly assertive maritime activity. In a speech delivered in Hanoi, Kishi said Vietnam is an important partner for Japan and stressed… Read
