Search - cabinet

 
 
JAPAN
Jan 14, 1999

Analysis: Coalition plagued with problems

After days of intense haggling between the Liberal Democratic Party and Liberal Party, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi finally launched a coalition government Thursday. But despite his desire for a stable government, he appears to be headed for trouble.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 9, 2022

Amid low ratings and scandals, Kishida scores a win with passage of key bills

In a parliamentary session rocked by Cabinet resignations and controversy over the Unification Church, the prime minister was able to eke out some political wins.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 22, 2022

Kishida's attempt to reset Unification Church issue backfires

It was revealed that at least seven members of Kishida's new Cabinet had ties to the Unification Church.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jan 20, 2022

Japan needs radical change to achieve health security

Health crises, such as the ongoing pandemic, are a national security threat just like major disasters and armed attacks, and preparation is vital.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 1, 2021

Abe's influence weighs heavily on Kishida's LDP executive picks

Newly installed LDP chief Fumio Kishida officially unveiled the ruling party's new executive lineup Friday, elevating a close ally of the former prime minister to the No. 2 role.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 13, 2020

Getting 'Suganomics' on track: Three points to gauge PM's progress

The new Japanese government will be successful if early and small successes can be achieved to give it momentum.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 14, 2020

Japan's next leader: How Yoshihide Suga beat the odds to succeed Shinzo Abe

The current chief Cabinet secretary won by a landslide in the party poll, all but guaranteeing his spot at the top.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / LAW OF THE LAND
Jun 18, 2020

Much ado about retirement ages and Japan's politicized bureaucracy

The scandal surrounding top prosecutor Hiromu Kurokawa has kicked off a debate on retirement ages and interference in Japan's civil service.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 23, 2020

Komeito, the 20-year-old security watchdog

Komeito wields influence in major security policy decisions, especially the one that has most Japan-watchers intrigued: constitutional amendment.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Feb 26, 2019

In day of U-turns, Theresa May considers delaying Brexit while Labour's Corbyn backs second referendum

Theresa May is considering a plan to delay Brexit and stop the U.K. leaving the European Union with no deal next month, according to people familiar with the situation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 12, 2018

Finance Ministry admits to doctoring official papers on Moritomo land scandal

The deletions, which wiped out references to the Abes, prominent lawmakers and the Japan Conference (Nippon Kaigi), took place before the documents were released to politicians probing the deal.
EDITORIALS
Jan 27, 2018

Monitoring use of secret funds

A Supreme Court ruling provides an opportunity to retool information disclosure on the use of secret government funds.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 17, 2016

Trump builds team of bosses and big egos to shake up Washington

With more than 20 nominees now selected, Donald Trump's Cabinet appears much like the president-elect himself: mostly older, white males, many of them wealthy, who see themselves as risk-takers and deal-makers and prize action over deliberation.
EDITORIALS
Aug 5, 2016

Abe's unrivaled position of power

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's political power is unrivaled — does he have the wherewithal to make the most of it?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 1, 2016

Ministry of Finance the loser in battle for dominance under Abe

The ministry awakens to a new reality after three years of government under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / 70 YEARS AFTER THE WAR'S END
Aug 14, 2015

Abe's nationalism reflected in conservative political movement, but polls show voter dissent

The hot political season is back as the nation observes Aug. 15, which is always an emotional date as it marks Japan's surrender in World War II — and this year is the 70th anniversary of that fateful event.
EDITORIALS
Jul 3, 2015

Abe's poor answers on security bills

The Abe administration continues to fail to satisfactorily answer the questions that dog its proposed security legislation.
EDITORIALS
Feb 15, 2015

Questions of self-defense

A legislative package of bills on security — prepared by the ruling coalition with the aim of implementing the Abe Cabinet's decision last July to enable Japan to engage in collective self-defense — will no doubt be the main focus of the current Diet session.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 18, 2014

Abe, Suga both away from Tokyo at the same time

The last few days were rather unusual for the prime minister's office in Nagatacho, Japan's political center: Both Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga were not there.
Japan Times
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jul 27, 2014

Self-defense less collective at local level

After the Shiga gubernatorial election earlier this month, in which Taizo Mikazuki, the hand-picked successor to former Gov. Yukiko Kada, defeated the ruling coalition's candidate, certain media agencies and pundits suggested that collective self-defense had no impact on the race.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 10, 2014

Cost of passive power struggles

The chairman of the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation recalls how the failure of the navy minister to express a truthful personal opinion within a group closed the window on Japanese doves' hopes of averting war months before the Pearl Harbor attack.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 27, 2014

'Reinterpreting' Article 9 endangers Japan's rule of law

The most serious problem with the recommendations of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's advisory panel on reinterpreting Article 9 of the Consititution is that they reflect a result-oriented analysis driven by national security imperatives rather than constitutional law principles.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Mar 21, 2014

Cracks in the ruling coalition

The exercise of Japan's right to collective self-defense has become Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's political creed, but ruling coalition partner New Komeito wants Abe to slow his approach, and others close to Abe have grown apprehensive about the rise of anti-American conservatism within Abe's Liberal Democratic Party. The ruling coalition is showing cracks.
EDITORIALS
May 15, 2013

Nationalism will undermine Japan

The prime minister's remarks about Yasukuni Shrine as well as his attitude toward the nation's past 'aggression' threaten to undermine international trust in Japan.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 11, 2013

Abe to take on intel-gathering taboos

As tensions with China and North Korea mount, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares to assail postwar political taboos and bolster Japan's intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 30, 2013

People's award: glittering honor or political tool?

The People's Honor Award, bestowed on those who have made tremendous achievements in their careers, has often drawn criticism for its vague nomination criteria and opaque selection process.
EDITORIALS
Apr 26, 2013

Yasukuni visits undermine diplomacy

Recent visits to Yasukuni Shrine by three Abe Cabinet members suggest that they view personal ideological urges as important as Japan's diplomatic interests.

Longform

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