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Gabriele Ninivaggi
Politicians pay their respects to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday in the city of Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 11, 2024
Two years after Abe’s death, LDP's conservatives still lack direction
The absence of a figure who is able to embody conservative ideals and marshal widespread consensus within the party has weighed heavily on conservatives.
The Liberal Democratic Party's poor showing in Sunday's Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly by-elections likely won't have any decisive impact on the standing of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 8, 2024
Tokyo by-elections setback a blow to the LDP, but maybe not to Kishida
Sunday’s poor performance might not have much impact on the prime minister’s prospects for reelection as LDP president.
Prospective candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election include digital minister Taro Kono (left) and former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 28, 2024
Potential candidates in LDP presidential election come into view
Digital minister Taro Kono and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba appear ready to run in September.
During the attacks, private data on JAXA employees as well as information on external parties might have leaked, it has been reported.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2024
Japan’s space agency hit by repeated cyberattacks since last year
JAXA has begun a probe to determine the scope of the damage caused and taken measures to shut down the networks that may have been involved.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Jun Azumi (center) submits a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Lower House Speaker Fukushiro Nukaga (second from left) on Thursday in the parliament.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 20, 2024
Lower House votes down no-confidence motion against Kishida’s government
The motion was voted down by the LDP and its junior coalition partner Komeito, which together hold a supermajority in the chamber.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Kenta Izumi (left) faces off against Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in a debate in parliament on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 19, 2024
CDP's Izumi challenges Kishida to dissolve Lower House
Izumi said Kishida ought to seek a fresh mandate from the public due to his party's handling of its slush funds scandal.
Group of Seven leaders and officials look to the sky during a ceremony involving paratroopers at Borgo Egnazia Golf Club San Domenico in Savelletri, Italy, on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics / First person
Jun 17, 2024
In perspective: a firsthand account of this year’s G7
In an increasingly multipolar world, the bloc's relevance comes into question, but any attempt to foster dialogue and ease tensions should be welcomed.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prior to the start of a Ukraine peace summit in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 16, 2024
Kishida calls for peace, as Russia's absence overshadows Ukraine summit
Representatives from more than 90 countries and a dozen international organizations are advocating for a concrete and united roadmap to peace in Ukraine.
Pope Francis and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida talk ahead of a Group of Seven session on artificial Intelligence, energy, Africa and the Mediterranean on the second day of the G7 summit in Borgo Egnazia, Italy, on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 15, 2024
G7 agree on AI code of conduct and joint initiatives for Africa
The bloc also agreed to build a common framework to combat illegal migration, with the aim of cracking down on human trafficking.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Fasano, Italy, on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 14, 2024
Japan locks in support for Ukraine with nonbinding security agreement
The deal formalizes Tokyo’s support for Kyiv and includes a pledge to conduct consultations in the case of future attacks on the war-torn country.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and digital minister Taro Kono attend a digitalization panel in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 11, 2024
Japan's parliament faces a long road to digitalization
Concerns over decorum and the possibility of the use of electronic devices being obtrusive to proceedings are among reasons cited for maintaining restrictions.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, this year's Group of Seven chair, speaks following the announcement of the partial results of European Parliament elections, in Rome on Monday.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 11, 2024
Using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine to top G7 agenda
Under the chairmanship of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, G7 leaders will have their hands full at the three-day gathering.
Amid low approval ratings since the Liberal Democratic Party slush funds scandal came to light, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is making the political funding bill's passage his No. 1 priority for the current session of parliament.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 6, 2024
LDP's political funding bill clears Lower House
The bill's passage marks a watershed moment in a monthslong debate sparked by a slush funds scandal that engulfed the ruling party.
In a meeting with Nippon Ishin no Kai head Nobuyuki Baba (left) in Tokyo last Friday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had secured a formal endorsement of the Liberal Democratic Party's proposed revisions for the political funding law.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 4, 2024
Fumble with Nippon Ishin over funding vote adds to Kishida's predicament
The calling off of Tuesday's vote on the Liberal Democratic Party's proposed revisions for the political funding law might shake his precarious standing in the party.
Senior ruling and opposition lawmakers on the Lower House political reform committee decide Monday that the bill will be voted on in parliament the following day.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 3, 2024
Lower House vote on political funds law revision agreed
Movement on the vote follows a deal between the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito and Nippon Ishin no Kai on the content of the bill.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Komeito head Natsuo Yamaguchi meet at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 31, 2024
LDP secures backing for revisions to political funding law
The agreement with Komeito and Nippon Ishin no Kai paves the way for the bill's passage in the current session of parliament.
Opposition parties' senior lawmakers discuss political reform in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 28, 2024
Japan's parties ramp up reform discussions as clock ticks for legal revision
While lawmakers have agreed to expedite discussions, gaps remain on some contentious issues.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a joint news conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (center) and Chinese premier Li Qiang at the Blue House presidential office in Seoul on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 27, 2024
In rare talks, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing agree to step up cooperation
While Monday's summit didn't result in any breakthroughs, it is seen as an important step to stem the deterioration of Japan and South Korea's ties with China.
Komeito head Natsuo Yamaguchi said in a video posted on TikTok in December that the party did not want to be seen as part of the same group as the LDP.
JAPAN / Politics
May 23, 2024
Challenges mount for Komeito amid rift with LDP
As the junior partner in the ruling coalition approaches its 60th anniversary, an existential crisis looms over it.
The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito discuss the bill for the revision of the political funds control law in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 17, 2024
LDP submits its own proposal to revise political funds law
A tight parliamentary schedule has pushed the party to expedite negotiations with the opposition even at the cost of deepening a rift with its longtime ally.

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