Tag - taro-aso

 
 

TARO ASO

Kochikai, formerly led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, meets in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2024
LDP agrees to reshape factions and toughen rules on political funding
It remains unclear, however, whether this move will lead to a substantial reform of the party's faction-oriented politics.
As the political upheaval continues, the administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is readying itself for the release of a party political reform panel’s report on the slush funds scandal and its recommendations for ensuring it doesn’t happen again.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2024
Kishida's LDP factions gamble fails to improve his popularity
A Yomiuri Shimbun poll conducted over the weekend found the Kishida Cabinet’s approval rating was 24%, the lowest since the LDP returned to power in 2012.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the dissolution of his LDP faction on Friday, marking a significant shift in the wake of a political funding scandal.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 22, 2024
Mired in scandal, the LDP chips away at its factions
Three LDP factions, including Kishida's, announced their dissolution last week. While it's unlikely that all groupings will meet the same fate, reform is in the air.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Jan. 4.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 20, 2024
Kishida takes risky gamble by dissolving LDP faction
Members of the factions led by LDP Vice President Taro Aso and Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi have resisted following suit, potentially endangering the PM.
After two meetings of an ad-hoc panel established by party leader and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier this month, fissures between lawmakers have emerged, and at the moment the outcome of the debate remains hard to predict.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 17, 2024
Dissolving factions becomes focus of LDP funding scandal task force
The discussions have led to divisions between lawmakers, and at the moment the outcome of the debate remains hard to predict.
In Washington on Monday and Tuesday, Pentagon and Chinese military officials held their first in-person defense policy talks since the COVID-19 pandemic erupted.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 10, 2024
China's military vows no compromise on Taiwan after rare talks with U.S.
The meeting came as China warned Tokyo over remarks by former Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso that Japan would join the fight in a war over the democratic island.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Sanae Takaichi (center) and Taro Kono attend a Lower House session in Tokyo last week.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 29, 2023
Despite low approval ratings, Kishida likely to keep top job
While the situation around the government warrants no optimism, experts agree the prime minister has no reason to fret.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako greet guests during the autumn garden party at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 2.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 2023
LDP to consider imperial law revision for stable succession
The focus of discussions will be, in part, on whether to allow Japan to have a female emperor.
Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori gives an interview in Tokyo on July 4.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 29, 2023
Yoshiro Mori's image as LDP kingmaker rubs up against reality
While he remains a strong presence in the LDP, his actual ability to get his way on policy and personnel matters may not be as strong as it first appears.
Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taro Aso speaks in the city of Fukuoka on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 27, 2023
Lawmakers upset as Taro Aso dubs coalition partner a 'cancer'
The LDP vice president reportedly made the remark while discussing Komeito's stance on the revision of key security documents last December.
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi (left), Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and LDP Vice President Taro Aso attend a party executive meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 8, 2023
Next LDP leadership race looms over Kishida's reshuffle plans
The prime minister looks set to retain two veteran Liberal Democratic Party leaders in their posts in a Cabinet and LDP leadership reshuffle.
Taro Aso, a former prime minister and current vice president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, speaks during the Ketagalan Forum in Taipei on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 8, 2023
Taiwan situation ‘tilting toward emergency,’ former Japan PM says
Taro Aso said this shift was “definitely not out of the blue” but was now “more evident,” pointing to military exercises by China around Taiwan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 29, 2023
As snap election rumors grow in Japan, here's how one could play out
Political pundits have been contemplating multiple scenarios, ranging from a summertime ballot to an election during parliament's session in the fall.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 3, 2023
Why Japan couldn’t send its foreign minister to a key G20 meeting
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi’s absence from a Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting has become a matter of controversy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 2, 2022
Ex-Japan PM Aso and South Korea's Yoon pledge to work toward improved bilateral ties
Ruling party heavyweight Taro Aso held talks with South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul amid a festering row over wartime labor compensation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
May 12, 2022
Japan’s main labor group is drawing closer to the LDP. Some say too close.
Closer ties between Rengo and the ruling LDP would deeply concern opposition leaders, who rely on the union's 7 million members for electoral support.

Longform

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