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Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 20, 2007

DPJ stays on offensive in refueling mission debate

The Democratic Party of Japan stepped up its criticism Friday of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling operation in the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom in the Indian Ocean, as the Pentagon admitted it is difficult to trace the fuel provided by Japanese vessels.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Oct 20, 2007

Haruko Komura

Haruko Komura said, "I don't want to be in the forefront of politics. I do want to continue working for peace."
JAPAN
Oct 17, 2007

¥552 million Myanmar aid project nixed

The government will cancel a ¥552 million project to build a human resource training center in Myanmar to protest the recent military crackdown on the democracy movement and the killing of a Japanese video journalist, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Oct 12, 2007

Japanese kidnapped by bandits in Iran

A Japanese college student has been kidnapped in southeastern Iran by an armed group and Tokyo has asked Tehran for help to secure his safe release, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said Thursday.
COMMENTARY
Oct 9, 2007

The vanity in 'green' virtues

LONDON — When it comes to energy efficiency and a greener future, Japan has got itself very well-organized these days — some would even say over-organized.
COMMENTARY
Oct 8, 2007

Getting Japan's politics wrong

Western media have reported Japan's new prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, as drab and unexciting and even as "lukewarm pizza." But anyone who watched him during his more than three-year stint as chief Cabinet secretary would know that he has a sharp mind and a laid-back sense of humor.
JAPAN
Oct 6, 2007

Ruling bloc, in rare twist, hands MSDF bill to opposition

The ruling coalition Friday submitted to the opposition camp the draft of a new bill to continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in support of antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan — a key goal of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in the current Diet session....
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 6, 2007

Fukuda may up spending to win rural, elderly votes

By KYOKO SHIMODOI and JASON CLENFIELD Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, under pressure to increase government spending before the next election, may scuttle plans to balance the budget and cut the world's largest public debt.
COMMENTARY
Oct 4, 2007

Can Fukuda improve ties with China?

HONG KONG — China and Japan celebrated the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on Saturday with glittering diplomatic receptions and an exchange of congratulatory messages by leaders of the two countries.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Oct 4, 2007

Machimura mulling bill-consultation bodies with opposition

The Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling coalition should create consultation bodies with the opposition camp, which now has a majority in the House of Councilors, to seek its opinion on important bills before any final decisions are reached, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said.
JAPAN
Oct 3, 2007

Komura favors flexibility, patience in Japan's response to foreign crises

," the new foreign minister said in an interview. At the same time, Komura stressed that the government will decide how it reacts to the Myanmar situation only after Deputy Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka returns from Myanmar and reports to the Cabinet.
EDITORIALS
Oct 3, 2007

Mr. Fukuda's good intentions

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda made his first policy speech in the Diet Monday. Although Mr. Fukuda's speech lacked freshness and bold proposals, it shows that he correctly grasps what worries people have about today's politics. But the question is whether he will come up with concrete policy measures and...
JAPAN
Oct 2, 2007

Fukuda vows to regain public trust

urgent issue," Fukuda told the Diet in the 23-minute speech. "Without the people's trust, it is impossible to realize any policy or necessary reforms." The remarks followed Fukuda's warning to his Cabinet last week to keep their hands clean over political funds.
EDITORIALS
Oct 1, 2007

Coping with the doctor shortage

As pregnant women, children and rural residents in Japan face a crisis in getting medical treatment, the government has decided to increase the quota for medical schools. This is a welcome move. It is urgent that the government take well-thought-out measures to deal with specific problems responsible...
JAPAN
Sep 29, 2007

Japan may pull envoy if talks tank

we have to wait and see for a while to decide if we should apply sanctions or not," Fukuda told reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. "We won't immediately apply sanctions because much of Japan's aid is humanitarian." Tokyo has traditionally used a policy of engagement with Myanmar,...
JAPAN
Sep 28, 2007

Web site documents wartime sex slaves

have lived for more than half a century after the war, suffering practically as much as they did during the several years they spent in military comfort stations," it says. The museum also preserves the testimony of several former comfort women.
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2007

'Military geek' Ishiba returns to friendly territory

takes over as defense minister from Masahiko Komura on Wednesday. KYODO PHOTO

Longform

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