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JAPAN
Mar 24, 2010

DPJ to punish Kobayashi for inaction on scandal

The Democratic Party of Japan will discipline Chiyomi Kobayashi since she has reneged on her decision to quit the Diet over a scandal involving ¥16 million in shady funds, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Tuesday.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 11, 2010

Critical role for bureaucrats

HONG KONG — Some political commentators are suggesting that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is preparing to make Britain his model for reforming Japan's government system so that ministers — and not bureaucrats — make the important policy decisions.
EDITORIALS
Jan 1, 2010

Mr. Hatoyama and the DPJ in '10

The year 2010 will be a watershed year for the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which came into power last September, ending the Liberal Democratic Party's almost unbroken rule since November 1955. If the administration fails to produce results that meet people's expectations this year,...
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Sep 29, 2009

Gaijin health coverage: an appeal for choice

Unless you've just made it to this corner of the world in the last couple of weeks, you're probably well aware of the new visa guideline that's scheduled to go into effect in April 2010. Because of this guideline, foreigners who wish to renew their visa and who are required to be enrolled in social health...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 8, 2009

Consumer Affairs boss underscores new, yet tenuous, role

The Consumer Affairs Agency must play the vital role of being the only government organ tasked with serving consumers, but in the process it might help bureaucrats improve their public image, the director general of the new body said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 3, 2009

Rifts surface as DPJ seeks to woo allies

Fresh from Sunday's landslide Lower House election win, the Democratic Party of Japan officially kicked off talks Wednesday with its two small allies to form a coalition government, but the day's talks pointed to a rough road ahead.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Aug 31, 2009

Historic sea change at polls product of frustrated public

For better or worse, history has been made.
COMMENTARY
Aug 22, 2009

The decline of policymaking

I have misgivings about the decline of Japanese policymaking abilities.
EDITORIALS
Jul 4, 2009

Dwindling ability to lead

The mini-reshuffle of the Cabinet this week shows that Prime Minister Taro Aso's power to lead his Liberal Democratic Party in a direction he desires has dwindled. He had sought a substantial reshuffle of both the Cabinet and the party leadership to buoy his administration's sagging approval rate. But...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 30, 2009

Opening the door to foreigners

Massive layoffs from the current economic crisis are falling heavily on foreign workers, many of whom are opting to leave the country to seek work back home.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 10, 2009

Uruma recalls no off-record biased remark

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Iwao Uruma stressed Monday he does not recall saying the scandal over alleged illicit political donations from Nishimatsu Construction Co. would not implicate lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2009

Aso short of excuses for delaying election

Friday's passage of the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills through the Lower House was bittersweet for Prime Minister Taro Aso, who still faces the dilemma of when to call a general election.
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2009

Budget-balancing goal pie in sky?

Even if the economy recovers, the primary budget balance will remain in deficit for the next decade unless the consumption tax is raised incrementally beginning in fiscal 2011, the government said in a report Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2009

Aso's days said numbered

Now that Prime Minister Taro Aso managed Tuesday to force the second extra budget for fiscal 2008 through the Lower House, his next hurdle is the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Sep 29, 2008

Kawamura promises to keep Aso from tripping over his own feet

As right-hand man to the prime minister, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura says his job is to make sure that Taro Aso doesn't stumble.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 25, 2008

Aso policies seen as short-term fix

Prime Minister Taro Aso's choices for finance and economic ministers failed to impress economists Wednesday, who said they are not likely to take bold measures to shore up an economy threatened by the global economic downturn.

Longform

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