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Kazuaki Nagata

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Kazuaki Nagata
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 13, 2009
Waffling Aso roasted on public griddle
If there is one thing contributing to Prime Minister Taro Aso's sagging approval rate, it's his flip-flopping on the issues.
JAPAN
Feb 13, 2009
Koizumi enters postal fray, fires shot at Aso
Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stuck his head into a political brouhaha Thursday to rap Prime Minister Taro Aso for his imprudent remarks on postal privatization, threatening to stir up even more anti-Aso sentiment.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2009
The uphill battle against 'descent from heaven'
"Amakudari," the custom of setting up retired senior bureaucrats in cushy jobs in industries they previously oversaw, has no shortage of critics, who lambaste the practice as an abuse of power and a source of corruption.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2009
Watanabe expects poll will be held before fall
Prime Minister Taro Aso will probably not be able to delay a general election until September, when the current term of Lower House members expires, former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe said Monday in Tokyo.
JAPAN
Feb 7, 2009
Aso riles LDP over postal stance
Liberal Democratic Party members expressed dismay Friday at Prime Minister Taro Aso's remarks the previous day that he originally opposed postal privatization and was willing to review the splitup of the service.
JAPAN
Jan 31, 2009
Opposition split on naval antipiracy dispatch off Somalia
The government plan to submit a bill in March to send Maritime Self-Defense Force ships off Somalia to join the fight against pirates is splitting the ranks of the Democratic Party of Japan and the rest of the opposition camp.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 30, 2009
Ruling bloc, opposition resume Diet squabbling
Key ruling bloc and opposition lawmakers exchanged barbs Thursday in the Diet, opening a new round of squabbling following the enactment of a contentious secondary budget just two days earlier.
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2009
Women still largely absent from politics
When it comes to female participation in politics, Japan lags far behind other nations.
JAPAN
Jan 28, 2009
Extra budget with cash handouts passed
Political wrangling in the Diet over the controversial second supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 ended Tuesday when the ruling bloc's legislation effectively prevailed by default.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2009
Reformist Koike loyal to LDP, waits in wings
While last year's Liberal Democratic Party presidential race ended in a landside victory for Prime Minister Taro Aso, there were signs that the old guard's grip on power is slipping.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2009
LDP panel dilutes tax hike proposal as peers rebel against setting a date
A key Liberal Democratic Party panel barely managed to contain a rebellion Thursday as debate on a proposal to schedule a consumption tax hike forced it to toss in vague wording that provides more wiggle room in picking a date for the increase.
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2009
Temp support groups call for urgent steps
Support groups proposed several steps to the government and opposition on Monday to strengthen the safety net for laid-off temp workers ahead of an expected increase in their number at the end of March.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2009
Ozawa tells convention DPJ will win
Democratic Party of Japan members gathered at their annual convention Sunday to show their resolution to defeat the LDP-New Komeito coalition's government in this year's general election.
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2009
Bureaucratic reform on the line
Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe's resignation from the Liberal Democratic Party highlights a growing rebellion against Prime Minister Aso Taro, who has been struggling to steer the nation amid sagging public support.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 15, 2009
Toy makers concentrate on robots that can soothe a harried populace
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, people need some relaxation, and that's what the Japanese toy industry will be selling this year.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2009
Watanabe resigns from LDP, cites rejected reform proposals
Making good on his threats, former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe resigned Tuesday from the Liberal Democratic Party.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2009
Activists hold Gaza peace rally in Tokyo
As the number of victims continues to climb in Gaza, a crowd of more than 1,500 people rallied in Tokyo on Saturday to call for an immediate ceasefire in the war-torn area.
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2009
Rebuffed, Watanabe set to quit LDP
With all his policy proposals effectively snubbed by Prime Minister Taro Aso, Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Yoshimi Watanabe's exit from the ruling party became almost certain Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 9, 2009
Aso partially bans 'watari' perk for ex-bureaucrats
Under pressure from the opposition camp, Prime Minister Taro Aso said Thursday that he will immediately ban the little-known custom of "watari," in which ministries can arrange new jobs multiple times at related corporations for retiring bureaucrats.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2009
Watanabe set to quit LDP as Aso rejects policies
Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe said Monday he will leave the ruling Liberal Democratic Party if his policy proposals are not seriously considered, including calling an early general election and cancelling a cash payout program.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

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