Politics | Page 4

Kishida tells Asia leaders China infringing on Japan's sovereignty
Reuters - Nov 14
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told Asian leaders on Sunday that China is continuously and increasingly taking actions that infringe on Japan's sovereignty and escalate tensions in the region.

Japan’s justice minister resigns after death penalty quip
sundiatapost.com - Nov 12
Japan's justice minister stepped down on Friday, over a scandal in less than a month and forcing a last-minute delay for the embattled premier’s Asia tour.

Japan drafts policy bracing for 8th wave of COVID-19 infections
Xinhua - Nov 11
The Japanese government on Thursday decided on a policy to allow each prefectural government to declare stepped-up coronavirus measures, amid growing concerns about the possible arrival of the eighth infection wave.

Japan's justice minister under fire for gaffe on death penalty
Japan Today - Nov 10
Japan's justice minister has come under fire for remarks widely seen as making light of his role in providing final authorization for executions of death-row inmates.

Ex-Tokyo Olympic exec indicted 4th time in bribery case
Kyodo - Nov 10
Prosecutors on Wednesday brought a fourth indictment against a former Tokyo Olympic executive on charges of receiving bribes totaling around 54 million yen ($370,000) from a major advertisement company and a firm that sold stuffed dolls of the games' mascots.

Kishida calls for progress in talks on bills to deal with ex-Unification Church
NHK - Nov 08
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has expressed hope that the ruling-opposition talks will make progress on legislation to deal with the religious group previously known as the Unification Church.

Japan gov't urged to end free COVID-19 vaccinations
Xinhua - Nov 08
An advisory panel for the finance minister on Monday proposed that the Japanese government end free-of-charge coronavirus vaccinations, highlighting concerns over a further increase of its financial strain.

Japan's population problem forces changes to social security
msn.com - Nov 08
Japan has a shrinking pool of young workers to fund retirement and healthcare. The only answer appears to be raising pension and health deductions from paychecks, but that is likely to be deeply unpopular.

Japan holds first intl. fleet review in 20 years
NHK - Nov 07
Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has held an international fleet review for the first time in 20 years, to mark the 70th anniversary of its founding.

N.Korea launches several missiles, including possible ICBM
NHK - Nov 03
North Korea launched several ballistic missiles on Thursday morning. Officials from Japan's Defense Ministry say one may have been an intercontinental ballistic missile. They are trying to determine the latest details.

N.Korea fires over 20 missiles on Wednesday
NHK - Nov 03
North Korea fired at least 23 missiles on Wednesday. It is extremely rare for the country to launch more than 20 missiles in a single day.

Court orders Yamaguchi governor to pay back spending on luxury official car
NHK - Nov 03
A district court has ordered the Yamaguchi prefectural government to urge the governor to pay back 20.9 million yen, or about 142,000 dollars, that it spent to buy a luxury car for official use.

Japan unveils $200bn package to combat highest inflation in decades
Nikkei - Oct 29
Japan on Friday unveiled an economic package worth about $200 billion to cushion the highest inflation seen in decades, as households and some businesses feel the impact of a weak yen.

Japan to cut household electricity bills by 20% to fight inflation
Kyodo - Oct 27
Japan will cut household electricity bills by about 20 percent early next year as an inflation-relief step under a broader economic package that will entail nearly 30 trillion yen ($204 billion) in government spending, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

Japan to extend gasoline subsidy to first half of next fiscal year: Kyodo
CNA - Oct 26
The Japanese government will extend a gasoline subsidy to curb rising energy costs until the first half of the next fiscal year, the Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday (Oct 26).

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida apologizes for Cabinet minister's resignation
NHK - Oct 26
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Tuesday named a replacement for his Economic Revitalization Minister. Yamagiwa Daishiro resigned Monday after heated opposition criticism for his links to the religious group formerly known as the Unification Church.