Politics
Japan concerned about U.S. Capitol breach: Kato
Japan's top government spokesman on Thursday said the country was concerned and closely monitoring the breach at the U.S. Capitol. "We are hoping for a peaceful transfer of power" in the United States, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters. Read
Gov't gave more than 100 contracts over 10 years to Dentsu-linked non-profit groups
The Japanese government has awarded more than 100 contracts over the last decade to two non-profit groups set up by Dentsu Inc, according to a Reuters analysis of government data, in arrangements that some opposition lawmakers say obscured the role of the advertising giant in winning public funds. The contracts,… Read
Japan tightens procurement rules after outcry over Dentsu role in COVID relief spending
Japan's trade ministry has unveiled a raft of public procurement reforms following an outcry over a deal to disburse coronavirus relief to struggling businesses that involved powerful advertising agency Dentsu Inc. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said the new rules aimed for greater transparency in its dealings… Read
Japanese defense official, calling Taiwan red line, urges Biden to be strong
A top Japanese defense official on Friday urged U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to "be strong" in supporting Taiwan in the face of an aggressive China, calling the island's safety a "red line." "We are concerned China will expand its aggressive stance into areas other than Hong Kong. I think one… Read
Abe apologizes in Diet; corrects statements on funding scandal
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday corrected statements he had made in the Diet, apologizing for what he said were mistakes regarding a political funding scandal that has also cast a pall over the current prime minister, Yoshihide Suga. Abe said he felt deeply responsible for making repeated… Read
Abe says sorry over political funding case
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday apologized for denying allegations that his office may have possibly violated Japan's strict political funding laws and admitted he was unaware what his office had done. Abe said he will correct his false statements in the Diet on Friday, marking a stunning… Read
Japan eyes bolder emissions target, carbon pricing scheme next year
Japan will look at reducing greenhouse gas emissions beyond its current target for 2030 and lay out details next year on a carbon pricing scheme that won't rule out a carbon tax, the environment ministry's top bureaucrat said on Monday. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday instructed his environment and… Read
Lockheed Martin to help Japan build stealth fighter
Lockheed Martin Corp, the maker of the F-35 jet, will help Japan build a new stealth fighter plane its air force wants to field by the mid-2030s to keep pace with aircraft technology advances made by neighboring China. Lockheed will partner with project leader Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) , Japan's… Read
Japan to develop longer-range anti-ship missiles as China pressure mounts
Japan on Friday said it will develop new "stand-off" anti-ship missiles that can target warships at greater distances around its southwestern Okinawa island chain, including near disputed islets in the East China Sea that China also claims. "The security environment around our southwestern islands has become harsh. We have to… Read
Mayor pledges to pay restitution for installing sauna in his office
Ikeda is a pleasant city on the outskirts of Osaka prefecture and home to one of Japan’s two Cup Noodles Museums, honoring its inventor Momofuku Ando. But for the past few months a scandal has put its mayor, Hiroki Tomita, in hot water like so many dried noodles in a Styrofoam… Read
