Tag - hirokazu-matsuno

 
 

HIROKAZU MATSUNO

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi (right) during a meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 24, 2024
Why Japan's mysterious stash of classified funds escapes scrutiny
The funds can be used by the chief cabinet secretary with no explanation needed, fueling speculation of widespread misappropriation.
Former economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who served as the Abe faction’s secretary-general for 10 months until August 2022, said the practice of returning portions of the income collected through fundraising parties to individual lawmakers was solely handled by the faction chairman and an administrative secretary.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 1, 2024
As ethics hearing unfolds, Diet falls into chaos over budget approval
The CDP sought to censure budget committee leader Itsunori Onodera over his decision to push through a final vote, and argued for more extensive debate.
In principle, political ethics committee meetings are not open to either the media or other lawmakers. But the committee can open them to both at its discretion.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 27, 2024
What to know about the ethics committee probing the LDP funds scandal
When the committee convenes later this week, at least five senior ruling party officials are expected to testify on what they knew about the scandal.
Lower House Budget Committee executives discuss next week's schedule in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 22, 2024
Committee probing LDP funds scandal set to open next week
The committee will likely gather next Wednesday and Thursday to interrogate five senior LDP lawmakers over their involvement in a kickback scheme.
Former Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 21, 2024
Senior LDP members likely to appear before ethics committee next week
While the opposition said the willingness of additional LDP figures to answer questions was an improvement, they called for more to step up.
A Tokyo Public Prosecutor's Office vehicle exits the building housing the office of a political faction once led by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Dec. 19.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 25, 2023
LDP's top faction withdrew decision to abolish kickbacks
A special squad suspects that senior faction officials knew of the apparent mechanism of the kickbacks and attempted to correct the situation.
Unlike his immediate predecessor, new Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has chosen to speak in words of his own for some matters.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 24, 2023
Hayashi maneuvers through his new Cabinet position carefully
Hayashi has served in many Cabinet posts in the past, including defense minister, agriculture minister and education minister.
Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Koichi Hagiuda (center) attends a party hosted by his faction, which was previously led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in May in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 13, 2023
Focus turns to replacements as scandal-hit LDP ministers face ax
In a news conference Wednesday evening, Fumio Kishida said he would make replacements the following day but declined to comment on the details.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno attend a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 12, 2023
Funding scandal deepens as parliament session draws to a close
The probe into a Liberal Democratic Party funds scandal looks likely to deepen in the coming days, making the political scene increasingly unpredictable.
Then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at Graceland, a mansion once owned by Elvis Presley, in Memphis, Tennessee, in June 2006. Koizumi was dubbed the "jujitsu prime minister” for his style of politics.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 11, 2023
Japan needs a 'jujitsu PM' to grapple with this scandal
Kishida fights for survival as the political funding scandal deepens. His predecessor, "jujitsu PM” Junichiro Koizumi, could teach him a thing or two.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 11, 2023
Kishida likely to shake up Cabinet in wake of political funds scandal
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is reportedly considering removing all members of the faction once led by his late predecessor Shinzo Abe.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno attend a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 8, 2023
Kishida walks tightrope after new funds allegations against Matsuno
The top government spokesperson is believed to have received kickbacks from his faction totaling more than ¥10 million over the last five years.
A fundraising party for the LDP's largest faction, which was led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe until his death
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 1, 2023
Abe's former faction in focus as LDP political fund scandal deepens
Prosecutors are investigating the faction as part of a scandal involving the alleged underreporting of funds by groups within the ruling party.
Commenting on the sentencing of a Japanese national to 12 years in prison on espionage charges, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said, "The Japanese government will continue offering every support we can from the viewpoint of protecting Japanese citizens."
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 13, 2023
Japan urges China to release national jailed on spy charges
Since China's amended anti-espionage law went into effect in 2015, at least 17 Japanese people have been detained by Chinese authorities.
Three Japanese staff members of Doctors Without Borders cross the Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt on Thursday in this handout photo.
JAPAN
Nov 2, 2023
10 Japanese with 8 Palestinian family members flee Gaza to Egypt
Another Japanese national who is married to a Palestinian and lives in Gaza intends to stay there with the family, the chief cabinet secretary said.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno (right) inspects a port in Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, on Sunday.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 24, 2023
Japan prepares for an evacuation scenario involving residents on remote islands
Commercial airplanes and ships are supposed to be used for an evacuation, but weather and other conditions could make it difficult.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 8, 2023
Japan seeing no COVID-19 resurgence a month after downgrade
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno has said the number of cases is 'rising moderately,' however.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 19, 2023
SDF to evacuate Japanese citizens from Sudan as conflict rages
The government will send Self-Defense Forces personnel to evacuate Japanese citizens from the African nation, the top government spokesman said in an unscheduled news conference.

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