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EDITORIALS
Jan 26, 2011

Mr. Kan sets his agenda

Prime Minister Naoto Kan, in his policy speech before the Diet on Monday, expressed his determination to carry out unified reform of the social security and the tax system, which would include raising the consumption tax, and "opening the nation" in the 21st century through large-scale trade liberalization....
EDITORIALS
Jan 24, 2011

Mr. Kan begins Diet hurdles

The Diet opens its ordinary session today. The results will greatly influence the fate of Prime Minister Naoto Kan and his Cabinet. By his recent Cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Kan has made it clear that he will give priority to unified reform of the tax system — which would include a consumption tax hike...
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2011

Government budget woes grow worse

An official prediction released Friday points to harder fiscal challenges ahead, with the combined primary budget balance deficit of the central and local governments predicted to grow to ¥23.2 trillion in fiscal 2020, ¥1.5 trillion more than was estimated in June.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Jan 22, 2011

Edano: Hike sales tax after the next election

The consumption tax should be raised after the next general election, which must be held before summer 2013, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano suggested Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2011

Little interest on street for reshuffle

Prime Minister Naoto Kan's Cabinet reshuffle Friday was greeted with indifference on the streets of Tokyo, with many expressing hope that the administration will settle down and pursue policies to revive the economy.
COMMENTARY
Dec 25, 2010

Revitalizing national politics

The Democratic Party of Japan realized a dramatic change of government with its great win in the Lower House election in August 2009. The DPJ victory came when policy evolution in the later years of the coalition administration by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito stagnated, prompting mass media...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2010

Sengoku backtracks on exit hint

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku, considered the most influential politician in Prime Minister Naoto Kan's administration, created a stir Friday when he hinted he may step down.
EDITORIALS
Nov 23, 2010

Another setback for Mr. Kan

Justice Minister Minoru Yanagida resigned Monday over his frank but offensive statement about his Cabinet job. His careless words not only cost him his position but have damaged the credibility of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who appointed him to the Cabinet post.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Nov 16, 2010

Kan given low score for weekend

Pundits came away unimpressed over the weekend by Prime Minister Naoto Kan's bilateral meetings with his Chinese and Russian counterparts and his hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Yokohama.
JAPAN
Nov 16, 2010

LDP slams ruling bloc over leak

The Liberal Democratic Party on Monday submitted no-confidence motions in the Diet against two Cabinet ministers, holding them to blame for the leak of a sensitive video of collisions involving a Chinese trawler and two Japan Coast Guard cutters in September off the Senkaku Islands.
EDITORIALS
Oct 26, 2010

Maintain ban on weapons exports

Recent remarks by Japanese defense officials raise cause for concern. In a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Hanoi on Oct. 11, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said that his ministry thinks that Japan's long-standing ban on weapons exports should be revised. He also expressed hope...
EDITORIALS
Oct 9, 2010

Testing times for Mr. Kan

With the opposition forces controlling the Upper House, the biggest task facing Prime Minister Naoto Kan in the current extraordinary Diet session is securing the passage of a supplementary budget for fiscal 2010 to bolster the flagging economy.
EDITORIALS
Sep 30, 2010

Economic policies that instill hope

As Prime Minister Naoto Kan's new Cabinet goes into full swing, it is important for the government to adopt and carry out effective economic policies speedily. With economic policy, not only substance but also psychological factors are important.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 18, 2010

Numerous diplomatic issues loom

Not known for his diplomatic skills, it's unclear how Prime Minister Naoto Kan will deal with pressing international issues, even with a major Cabinet reshuffle Friday.

Longform

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