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Gabriele Ninivaggi
Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi says changes in the international balance of power, along with deepening economic interdependence, have led some countries to attempt to use their economic power to impose their will on others.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 13, 2024
Economic security is about strengthening and sustaining growth, former minister says
The nascent concept goes beyond more regulations and restrictions, says Japan's first economic security minister, Takayuki Kobayashi.
Naoshi Hirata (center), chairman of a committee tasked with evaluating the risk of a Nankai Trough earthquake, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Explainer
Aug 9, 2024
Japan issued its first-ever megaquake alert. What does that mean?
How serious is the situation, and what should people do in the days to come? Here’s what you need to know.
A tsunami advisory, shown in yellow, was issued following an earthquake in Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2024
Tsunami advisory lifted after strong quake jolts Kyushu
The 7.1 magnitude quake, measuring a weak 7 on Japan's intensity scale, triggered small tsunami waves in some areas.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a meeting of a Liberal Democratic Party panel on constitutional reform in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 7, 2024
Kishida looks to constitutional reform to win over LDP conservatives
The prime minister has strengthened his tone on constitutional revision ahead of the party's presidential election.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara speaks on July 30 during a parliamentary inquiry into a series of scandals involving the ministry and the Self-Defense Forces.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 6, 2024
The wider international and domestic implications of the SDF scandals
The problems have put the spotlight on Japan’s ability to convince its partners that it’s ready to shoulder a larger security role.
Toshimitsu Motegi, secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 2, 2024
Motegi shows readiness to run in LDP presidential race, but hurdles remain
He faces three leadership hurdles: the disbandment of factions, low public popularity and even his current position as the secretary-general.
Prosecutors leave Upper House lawmaker Megumi Hirose's home in Tokyo on Tuesday after searching it as part of an investigation into alleged fraud.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 31, 2024
Resignation of LDP lawmaker over pay scandal adds to party's woes
Megumi Hirose has left the party over allegations she pocketed public money to pay the salary of a secretary who didn’t actually work.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi (right) during a meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 24, 2024
Why Japan's mysterious stash of classified funds escapes scrutiny
The funds can be used by the chief cabinet secretary with no explanation needed, fueling speculation of widespread misappropriation.
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.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?