SNA (Tokyo) — The following stories were reported today by the Shingetsu News Agency.

Politics

—In Ichikawa city, Chiba Prefecture, mayoral election must be held a second time. There were five candidates and none of them reached the legal minimum level of 25%+ of the votes to be elected.

—Party of Hope launches Shu Watanabe-led discussions on whether or not 2015 Abe War Law needs to be revised in order to bring it into conformity with the terms of the Constitution.

—Hodo Nakamura, 66, indicates that he will be seeking reelection in February 4 Nagasaki gubernatorial elections. He is likely to face only a single Communist Party-backed challenger.

—As expected, ruling party refuses renewed opposition demand that Akie Abe be called as witness before the Diet on Moritomo Gakuen Scandal. They stick to line she is just a “private individual” with no government role.

—Yoshihiko Noda reveals that Party of Hope’s Goshi Hosono apologized to him for pre-election indication that Noda was not welcome to join the Party of Hope. Hosono indicated his exclusion had been ordered by leader Yuriko Koike.

—Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda rips Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike in a blog posting, not buying her Party of Hope slogan “tolerant conservatism.”

International

—Japan-Style Busing: Foreign Minister Taro Kono to promote the idea of Okinawan children being allowed to attend schools on US military bases. The notion is they will become fluent in English and their employment prospects will thus improve.

—Return of the Ghost Ships: New North Korean boat washes ashore in Akita Prefecture, this one carrying eight human bodies, some reduced to skeletons.

—Fascist provocateur Naoki Hyakuta holds lecture in Nago, Okinawa. He promotes the Japanese rightwing canard that anti-US base movement is led by Chinese agents, and repeats his verbal attacks against the local newspapers.

Economy

—Governors Split: Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa gives blessing to restart of Oi nuclear reactors, dismissing opposition of neighboring Shiga Governor Taizo Mikazuki.

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