author

 
 

Meta

Gabriele Ninivaggi
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2023
Okinawa governor visits China in latest show of regional diplomacy
Denny Tamaki's initiatives seek to increase Okinawa's diplomatic leverage, with the prefecture situated on the front line of diplomatic and military tensions.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 26, 2023
Kishida’s approval ratings plummet amid troubles with My Number
A poll conducted from Friday through the weekend by the Yomiuri Shimbun showed a 15 percentage point drop in the Cabinet’s approval rating compared with last month.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jun 24, 2023
Why Emperor Naruhito's visit to Indonesia matters symbolically and practically
The emperor's trip to Southeast Asia's most populous nation carried a deeper meaning amid a tense security situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
PODCAST / deep dive
Jun 21, 2023
Things just got a bit tougher for asylum-seekers in Japan
Japan passes a controversial new law that changes the rules for which people can apply for asylum in an effort to solve issues like overcrowding at detention centers.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 21, 2023
Kishida comes away from parliamentary session with key goals achieved
Out of 60 bills it submitted, 58 became law, a 96.7% passage rate — a slight drop from the equivalent session last year, where all 61 bills received parliament's approval.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 16, 2023
Why Kishida hasn't decided to call a snap election — yet
The decision came as a surprise in the political center of Nagatacho, with many left wondering about the rationale behind his decision.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 15, 2023
Kishida says he will not call a snap election, ending weeks of speculation
His government, Kishida said, will focus on moving forward with its current priorities, which include encouraging wage growth and investing in digital and green technologies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 13, 2023
Kishida will consider a snap election ‘in light of various circumstances’
Kishida's evasive response to a question about a snap election raised the possibility that he may have shifted gears on the issue.
JAPAN / Explainer
Jun 12, 2023
What you need to know about the revision of Japan's asylum law
The law, which has prompted widespread debate, seeks to address perceived drawbacks of Japan’s existing legislation and standard handling of asylum matters.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 9, 2023
Bill to promote LGBTQ understanding passes key step in Japan's Lower House
Discussions took place at an unusual speed, with the committee approving the proposal after only a few hours of debate.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 8, 2023
Japan's controversial immigration bill set to pass parliament
The bill has drawn considerable attention in the political hub of Nagatacho as left-wing opposition forces launched an extensive campaign to block the approval of the bill.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 6, 2023
CDP submits censure motion in bid to delay immigration bill
The motion against Justice Minister Ken Saito reflects an increasingly confrontational posture toward Japan's ruling coalition.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 2, 2023
Lack of detail on Kishida's plan to fund child care measures draws criticism
With a snap election possibly on the horizon, the government is seen as being unwilling to upset voters by increasing the burden on taxpayers.
JAPAN
May 31, 2023
Bill to extend operating period of nuclear plants passes Japan's Upper House
The passage of the bill, which extends the operating period to over 60 years, paves the way for an overhaul of the country's nuclear policy.
JAPAN / Politics
May 30, 2023
LDP looks to repair Komeito ties with electoral olive branch
While still at loggerheads over the candidate for Tokyo’s 28th district, the LDP no longer intends to field contenders in Saitama’s 14th district and Aichi’s 16th in a possible snap poll.
JAPAN / Politics
May 30, 2023
Kishida to remove son as political secretary over party photo controversy
Images showed Shotaro Kishida and relatives having photos taken at symbolically important locations in the prime minister's residence, with their behavior deemed inappropriate.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 29, 2023
As snap election rumors grow in Japan, here's how one could play out
Political pundits have been contemplating multiple scenarios, ranging from a summertime ballot to an election during parliament's session in the fall.
JAPAN / Politics
May 25, 2023
LDP-Komeito clash over Tokyo candidate pick threatens broader rift
Wrangling over five new Lower House seats in Tokyo may be driving a wedge between the coalition partners.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 21, 2023
Can Kishida’s diplomatic success translate to domestic gains?
The fanfare surrounding Kishida's closing remarks at the G7 summit masked a meeting that was meager on substance as he looks to pivot to domestic issues.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 20, 2023
G7 adopts common economic security approach to de-risk ties with China and Russia
At the same time, the group emphasized the need to step up cooperation with emerging economies in the areas of infrastructure, digitization and trade.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan