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

The Top Headline

—Trending on Japanese Twitter is “Edano Go!” The progressive base is appealing to Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Edano to go to Nago tomorrow and personally campaign for anti-base candidate Susumu Inamine. Interesting case that now the grassroots wants to lead the leader to the policy. Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan social media staff responds to the “Edano Go!” campaign on Twitter. They report that for scheduling reasons Edano will not go to Nago tomorrow, but that the strong wishes of the political base will be conveyed to him.

Politics

—Has Moritomo Gakuen’s Yasunori Kagoike effectively become a Political Prisoner of the Abe regime? Japan’s top opposition leader now joins those who believe that he is.

—For the first time, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan says it is open to forming a joint parliamentary caucus with the Democratic Party, if the Democrats will accept the progressive principles and policies of the Constitutional Democrats.

—Yukio Edano’s term as leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan set to end in September 2020. As the party forms its basic policies, they opt for three-year terms for party leaders, always ending in a September. There do not seem to be term limits on reelections.

—Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is conducting its Zero Nuclear Basic Bill town meetings in various cities across the nation. The new progressive party is working on building up its grassroots support. Here is the photo from the event held in Sapporo.

—Osenkogate: Sankei Shinbun accusing Party of Hope leader Yuichiro Tamaki of being guilty same potentially illegal practice as Economic Revitalization Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. It’s unclear at this point if the Sankei has a real scoop or this is another of their sleazy hit jobs.

—In Aichi Prefecture, the “Shinsei Aichi” local party is launched which will allow the local Democratic Party and Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan candidates to work together in local elections.

—While she was traveling in Fukuoka Prefecture, a reporter managed to ask Akie Abe about the Moritomo Gakuen Scandal, now fiercely debated in the Diet. Her response was, “I really want to know the truth. It has nothing to do with me.” Japan Communist Party head Kazuo Shii responds to Akie Abe: It’s the Japanese people who want to know the truth, and if it has nothing to do with you, then you won’t mind testifying in the Diet about it.

International

—Russia deploys warplanes to Iturup-Etorofu, one of the disputed Southern Kuriles-Northern Territories. This could be a signal of Moscow’s displeasure with the Abe government’s decision to purchase the Aegis Ashore anti-missile system from the United States.

—Japanese media told that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe raised the issue of US Marine helicopter accidents in his latest phone call with US President Donald Trump. True or not, clearly the government wants that story out there on the day before the Nago mayoral elections.

—Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai disses Abe “diplomacy” with South Korea: “If we say we ‘won’t move an inch’ then they’ll say they won’t move an inch. Can we really leave the future of the country to this kind of diplomacy?”

—Susumu Inamine campaign worried about Nago voters who oppose Henoko base but have grown hopeless that anything they do can stop the Abe government from steamrolling over them. Some of them may figure its best to just take the government bribes since outcome is determined.

—Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine and his supporters, including Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga, show their resolve on the “Last Day.”

—Free children’s daycare, free school lunches, and free medical care for children. This is what Nago mayoral challenger Taketoyo Toguchi is promising on the last day of campaign. Do what the government wants and we’ll lift your family’s economic burdens.

—Exit polling of early voters shows pro-Abe government challenger Taketoyo Toguchi slightly ahead of incumbent anti-base candidate Susumu Inamine in the Nago mayoral elections.

—In a blockbuster development, Akahata is reporting that a local Soka Gakkai executive has sent a letter of support to Susumu Inamine and saying he “cannot forgive” Komeito for mobilizing in favor of the pro-base Abe government candidate, Taketoyo Toguchi.

—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to ask South Korean government for support in evacuating the 38,000 or so Japanese citizens in the event of war with North Korea. (We’re sure that will be at the top of Seoul’s priorities if they are fighting for the life of their country).

—Abe government “highly appreciates” the new Trump nuclear weapons doctrine which says that now the United States is willing to make first use of nuclear weapons even if the case it is facing only conventional non-nuclear attacks.

Economy

—Japan Blockchain Association, led by the largest exchange operator bitFlyer, and the Japan Cryptocurrency Business Association are in merger talks, but apparently it isn’t going well, with the two groups struggling for the dominant leadership position.

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