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July 16, 2024
 

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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Can Kishida's diplomacy boost support at home?
Facing calls to step down even from within the LDP, the Prime Minister apparently hopes to shore up support through his latest meetings overseas.
JAPAN / Politics
Japan to help Ukraine improve laws to support reconstruction
The move is intended to support Ukraine's negotiations for EU membership and create an environment good for Japanese companies to enter the Ukrainian market.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Japan's CDP in dilemma over election cooperation with JCP
Both the DPP and the Japanese Trade Union Confederation have repeatedly called for the CDP-JCP cooperation to end.
Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Adm. Ryo Sakai says during a news conference Friday that he will step down on July 19 to take responsibility for a string of scandals involving MSDF members.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 14, 2024
Crisis grips Japanese government over Defense Ministry scandals
Some believe such scandals may influence the debate over tax hikes that were proposed to finance the five-year defense spending boost through fiscal 2027.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speaks at a news conference on Friday over sexual assault incidents involving U.S. service members.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 14, 2024
Japan lawmakers criticize U.S. for failing to report military assault cases
Meanwhile, the Japanese government has not protested the failure or demanded improvements, saying there was no problem with the U.S. side.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speak to reporters in Berlin on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 13, 2024
Japanese and German leaders deepen ties with new economic security framework
By Gabriel Dominguez
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaz Scholz agreed on the new mechanism during the Japanese leader's first visit to the country as PM.
Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito bows at a news conference at the prefectural government office in Kobe on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 13, 2024
Hyogo vice governor to resign over death of prefectural official
Vice Gov. Yasutaka Katayama's resignation comes after the death of an official who distributed a document about alleged harassment by Gov. Motohiko Saito.
Prime Minster Fumio Kishida attends a working session of the NATO Summit in Washington on Thursday. Kishida and new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held their first in-person talks on Thursday, in Washington.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 12, 2024
Japan and Britain agree on wide-ranging cooperation, including in AI
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also confirmed the inseparability of security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
Ground Self-Defense Force troops conduct a military drill on the uninhabited island of Irisuna in Okinawa Prefecture in November.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 12, 2024
Japan’s new defense white paper delivers strongest words yet on Taiwan
By Jesse Johnson
Tokyo pins the blame squarely on China's large-scale military exercises around the democratically ruled island for continued tensions in the region.
Public support for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet marked a new low of 15.5% in July, Jiji poll shows.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2024
Kishida Cabinet's approval rating sinks to 15.5%, poll shows
The results marked a new low for the Liberal Democratic Party since it returned to power in December 2012.
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
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
The absence of a figure who is able to embody conservative ideals and marshal widespread consensus within the party has weighed heavily on conservatives.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday before leaving for Washington for NATO meetings.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2024
Kishida and Yoon vow cooperation over Russia-North Korea ties
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a mutual defense pledge with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike meets with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday following her victory in Sunday's gubernatorial election.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 11, 2024
Sense of crisis remains in LDP over next general election
The LDP suffered a major defeat in Sunday’s Tokyo metropolitan assembly by-elections, adding to their string of recent national and local losses.
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
By Gabriele Ninivaggi
Sunday’s poor performance might not have much impact on the prime minister’s prospects for reelection as LDP president.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 8, 2024
Koike eases to victory but Ishimaru's performance signals shift in Tokyo
By Yukana Inoue
Koike saw off a tougher challenge than in previous votes, with Ishimaru pointing to a path forward for lesser-known candidates.
Renho, who had been considered incumbent Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike’s main rival in Sunday's gubernatorial election in the capital, finished third behind Shinji Ishimaru, the former mayor of Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 8, 2024
Is cooperation with the JCP an asset or liability for the CDP?
By Eric Johnston
Renho finishing third in the Tokyo gubernatorial race despite the backing of both parties raises questions for Japan's largest opposition group.
Ground Self-Defense Force personnel take part in a joint amphibious landing exercise with Philippine and U.S. troops in San Antonio, in the Philippines' Zambales province, in October 2018.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 8, 2024
Japan and Philippines ink key military pact in defense ties upgrade
By Gabriel Dominguez and Jesse Johnson
The agreement — Tokyo's first with a Southeast Asian nation — will facilitate mutual military visits.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike celebrates her win on Sunday evening. Koike has become the fifth governor in Tokyo’s history to secure a third term in office.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 7, 2024
Koike secures third term as Tokyo governor
By Yukana Inoue
Dark horse Shinji Ishimaru, the former mayor of the city of Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture, came in second behind Koike, with Renho in third.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida listens to U.S. President Joe Biden as they hold a joint news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington in April.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 6, 2024
Biden again takes credit for pushing Japan to boost defense spending
By Jesse Johnson
The U.S. president said for the second time in just over a year that he had pushed Japan to its hike defense budget — comments likely to upset Tokyo.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech during the closing ceremony of the Asia Business Summit in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 6, 2024
Kishida sends congratulatory message to new British prime minister
Kishida expressed his hope to step up cooperation with Britain to strengthen and maintain a free and open international order.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech during the closing ceremony of the Asia Business Summit in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 6, 2024
Kishida keen to leverage diplomacy to buoy his administration
Diplomacy is one of Kishida's strengths, but it remains unclear if his strategy will pay off.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 6, 2024
Japan criticizes China over buoy in Pacific Ocean
The Chinese side said that the buoy is for tsunami observation and not intended to violate Japan's sovereign rights over its continental shelf.
The Defense Ministry holds a lecture for military and police officials from Pacific island countries at the ministry on Friday as part of its security-related capacity-building support.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 3, 2024
Japan Defense Ministry boosting aid to Pacific island nations
Only three out of 14 Pacific island nations — Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga — have armed forces.

Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.
Glay celebrates three decades of rock greatness
The members of Glay — (from left) Jiro, Teru, Takuro and Hisashi — are celebrating 30 years of rocking out as a band.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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