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Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2016

Abe says win gives him mandate to accelerate economic policies but remains mum on Constitution

Fresh from sweeping the polls in Sunday's Upper House election, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday called the outcome an endorsement of Abenomics and pledged to expand spending, particularly in rural areas, despite soaring public debt.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 11, 2016

Focus on economy, failure of opposition clears way for Abe's LDP in national elections

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is on a solid electoral winning streak, and the opposition isn't putting up much of a fight.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 11, 2016

The roots of mistrust in Middle East societies

Reviving Islamic law would only deepen a trust deficit that is a key source of the Middle East's current economic underdevelopment and political failures.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 11, 2016

Japan and the consequences of the Brexit vote

Brexit has taught the Japanese of the potential dangers of a generational divide.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2016

Exit polls show Japan's young voters wanted to go with the flow by voting for coalition

Media exit polls show that a majority of those in their 20s or younger voted for the Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, Komeito, in Sunday's Upper House election. Observers said the result doesn't necessarily reflect their active support for the ruling coalition but rather their wish to...
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 11, 2016

Democrat and retired general, a possible Trump running mate, backs abortion rights

Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, under consideration by Republican Donald Trump as a possible vice presidential choice, said on Sunday he favors a woman's right to choose whether to have an abortion.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2016

LDP-led ruling bloc, allies clear two-thirds majority hurdle in Upper House poll

The Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling coalition scored a sweeping victory in the Upper House election Sunday that gave the Diet's pro-revision forces the two-thirds majority needed to initiate Japan's first constitutional referendum, final results showed Monday morning.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 11, 2016

Election strengthens LDP as opposition flounders; Abe says talks to begin on constitutional revision

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was all smiles Sunday night after being asked to put flower symbols next to the names of his party’s numerous successful candidates, in a post-election appearance at Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

In first election without Hashimoto, Osaka Ishin wins at least six seats in Kansai stronghold

Osaka Ishin no Kai won two of the Osaka district's four seats and another in neighboring Hyogo Prefecture, as well as at least two proportional seats, inching Prime Minister Shinzo Abe closer to the two-thirds majority needed for a referendum on constitutional revision.
MORE SPORTS
Jul 10, 2016

IAAF rejects 67 Russian applications to compete internationally

The IAAF's Doping Review Board has turned down applications from 67 Russian athletes to compete internationally as individuals following a blanket ban on the country's track and field athletes for systematic doping.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

Okinawan minister Shimajiri ousted from Upper House by former Ginowan mayor

In a setback for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, state minister for Okinawa affairs Aiko Shimajiri lost her Upper House seat to a challenger backed by the prefectural governor and a coalition of activists opposed to U.S. bases there.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

As LDP set for election victory, policy chief Inada calls for changing pacifist Constitution

The Liberal Democratic Party's policy chief on Sunday called for changing the nation's pacifist Constitution after the ruling coalition won a landslide victory in the Upper House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

Voters grapple with economic, security, credibility concerns to make their choice

Voters cited concerns about the economy, security and the Constitution as they participated in the Upper House election on Sunday, with many saying they chose the conservative Liberal Democratic Party and the continuity it represents.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 10, 2016

Bo Ningen: 'We're Japanese, but a London band'

Though seasoned music festival veterans overseas, the four members of British rock band Bo Ningen had never been to a Japanese event until Fuji Rock in 2013.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 10, 2016

Fuji Rock's green thumb is here for good

Anyone who makes the trek out to the mountains of Naeba for the annual Fuji Rock Festival will tell you two things, apart from that they had a great time: It rains, and it's clean for an event of such enormous scale. But it's not completely sterile.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 10, 2016

Heed the lessons of Britain's vote to leave EU

Contrary to glib assumptions, globalization of capital, trade and migration flows are not 'good for everyone.'
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jul 10, 2016

Latest U.S. country rankings on human trafficking raise eyebrows in some Asian nations

When the U.S. government last week raised the Philippines to its highest ranking in a report that assesses how much countries are battling human trafficking, putting it alongside the likes of Britain, Switzerland and Australia, the decision was questioned by aid workers in the Asian nation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

Numbers to keep an eye on in Upper House election

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, along with junior coalition partner Komeito, aim to win a combined majority of the 121 seats up for grabs in an Upper House election Sunday.

Longform

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