SNA (Tokyo) — The following stories were reported in the first half of June 2020 by the Shingetsu News Agency.

Rolling Coverage: Covid-19

—As of today, Tokyo movie theaters, gyms, department stores, etc., are in principle allowed to reopen. Also, gatherings of fewer than 100 people (indoor) and 200 people (outdoor) are also officially permitted.

—Universal Studios Japan planning limited reopening on June 8 for annual ticket holders who are also residents of Osaka Prefecture. The theme park closed its doors due to the Covid-19 crisis on February 29.

—As more Tokyoites cautiously return to normal activities, the number of newly confirmed Covid-19 infections also seems to be creeping back upward. The 30 new cases announced today is the highest single day total in several weeks.

—Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga states that the Abenomasks initiative, many of which still have not been delivered to households, will cost taxpayers about ¥26 billion (US$242 million) in total.

—Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike says she is considering issuing the first “Tokyo Alert” after 34 new Covid-19 cases announced today. This is not far from the level of 50 new cases daily that might lead to renewed emergency measures. Actual infections took place about a week ago.

—Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike identifies the Shinjuku nightlife district as a particular area of concern for the most recent uptick in confirmed Covid-19 infection cases in Tokyo.

—Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso explains that the number of Covid-19 deaths in Japan is comparatively lower than those in Europe because “the level of our people is different.”

—Justice Ministry appears to be reconsidering its widely-criticized unwillingness to let permanent and long-term foreign residents who were trapped abroad at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis to return home to their families and jobs. No other G7 nation had this policy.

—Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike aims to institute a policy of regular Covid-19 tests for those who work in the nightlife industries, the segment of society that many believe is at the highest risk of generating a second wave of infections.

—The Toyosu Market reopened today to visitors, another sign that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is easing up on Covid-19 countermeasures. That said, policies on face masks, plastic barriers, etc., at the social level now seem tighter than in the early emergency period.

—Nippon Professional Baseball will begin its season from June 19. However, all players, coaches, and umpires will be tested for Covid-19 infection on a monthly basis.

—The Abe government is considering extending the ¥100,000 per person Covid-19 relief payments to Japanese nationals living overseas, of which there are well over a million.

—The first “Tokyo Alert” for the post-emergency period Covid-19 crisis was lifted yesterday. It lasted from June 2 to June 11.

—Chubu Centrair International Airport expected to resume international flights from June 16, beginning with service to Manila. International flights from the airport in Aichi Prefecture have been suspended since March 23.

—Pulling a page from practices in other countries, Japan is planning to launch a smartphone app in the coming days that will help authorities track Covid-19 infection patterns going forward.

—Karaoke shops in Tokyo have been allowed to reopen, but masks, face shields, and other coronavirus anti-infection measures are now being instituted.

—This past week showed basically no change in the number of newly confirmed Covid-19 cases in Japan. It has been hovering at about the 300 newly diagnosed cases level for three weeks now.

—Tokyo reports 47 new Covid-19 cases today, close to the 50 daily level that might trigger a return to a state of emergency. More likely, a second “Tokyo Alert” may be issued if this spike endures.

—With growing concern about nightlife venues being key locations for the further spread of Covid-19 infections, the government will be asking nightlife businesses to record all of their customers’ names and contact information, so they can be tracked down later if needed.

—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe points out that there’s not really much evidence that summer will slow down Covid-19: “We cannot rest easy just because it’s summer, because the infection is spreading in the Middle East where temperatures are high.”

—Concerns grow as Tokyo reports 48 new Covid-19 cases today, following the 47 new cases reported yesterday. Many of these are concentrated in the Shinjuku nightlife district.

—The Abe government has declared that, with a handful of exceptions, the process of distribution two Abenomasks to each household in Japan has been completed… three weeks after the Covid-19 state of emergency has been declared over.

Rolling Coverage: Tokyo Gubernatorial Elections

—Yuriko Koike is expected to announce next week, probably June 10, her bid for reelection as Tokyo Governor. Her main rival at this juncture appears to be Kenji Utsunomiya, who is expected to gather some support from the political left.

—Kenji Utsunomiya to receive the support of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan in the Tokyo gubernatorial race, suggesting that the main opposition parties will indeed consolidate around a single candidate to oppose Yuriko Koike in the July 5 election.

—Kumamoto Vice-Governor Taisuke Ono announces that he plans to join the Tokyo gubernatorial race, adopting a pro-business platform. His independent candidacy doesn’t appear to have much hope of success, but he might draw votes from Yuriko Koike, helping Kenji Utsunomiya.

—The centrist Democratic Party For the People may refuse to support Kenji Utsunomiya for Tokyo Governor, breaking ranks with all of the other main opposition parties. Utsunomiya has traditionally been backed by the Japan Communist Party in previous elections.

—Egypt steps up for its favorite Japanese daughter, Yuriko Koike. Some LDP politicians and others have been claiming she faked her credentials, but Cairo University issued a special statement saying she graduated in October 1976. Koike is very popular with Arab diplomats.

—Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto reportedly considering a run for Tokyo Governor. This is surprising. Although Yamamoto has been cited as a possible candidate for months, at present all he would do is split left-leaning votes with declared candidate Kenji Utsunomiya.

—Unable to agree about their stance on Yuriko Koike, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has opted to endorse no candidate for July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial elections and allow party members to vote for whomever they wish.

—Yuriko Koike makes it official that she is running for reelection as Governor of Tokyo. Election Day is July 5.

—Taro Yamamoto announces that he will be a candidate for Tokyo Governor, likely splitting the left-leaning opposition between himself and Kenji Utsunomiya, and easing Yuriko Koike’s path to reelection.

—At the top of Taro Yamamoto’s campaign promises as he launches his gubernatorial campaign is a pledge to cancel the Tokyo Olympics should he be elected.

Rolling Coverage: Black Lives Matter

—In recent days, Black Lives Matter groups have sprung up in both Tokyo and the Kansai region, beginning to organize activities, mostly for American residents of Japan of all races who are appalled by police violence and racism in their home country.

—Black Lives Matter Tokyo launches in an impressive fashion, not just with details of the planned June 14 march, but also with an entire informational website.

—Veteran anti-foreign rightwinger Nobuyuki Suzuki, currently a Katsushika Ward assemblyman, demands that any foreigner who engages in a street protest should be tracked down by the police and expelled from the country.

—Organizers of the June 7 inaugural Black Lives Matter march in Osaka estimate that “about 2,000 participants” joined the event: “The Black Lives Matter Kansai organizers hope to continue encouraging residents of Kansai to speak out against racism wherever they see it.”

—US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim Joseph Young calls out the terribly misguided NHK animated video about the recent violence in the United States, ensuring that it will become a top level political issue in Japan.

—NHK offers an apology for its “Sekai no Ima” (The World Now) animation that was widely regarded as circulating racial stereotypes about African-Americans rather than offering an accurate view of the upheavals in the United States.

—NHK is being pushed both internationally and domestically to give a fuller explanation for broadcasting its terribly misguided Black Lives Matter animation. The bland apology they offered is widely regarded as being insufficient, and not really indicative of much thought.

—Black Lives Matter Tokyo holds inaugural march that gathers an estimated 3,500 participants.

—Smaller Black Lives Matter chapters are beginning to organize in Japan, including Black Lives Matter Fukuoka and Black Lives Matter Tokai.

Rolling Coverage: China Relations

—The Abe government planning to step up its de facto boycott of Huawei telecommunications equipment, instructing “independent administrative corporations” to avoid Huawei purchases.

—Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi says that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Japan will be delayed until November. Many people on both the right and the left are arguing that the invitation to Xi should be revoked altogether due to Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong.

—Defense Minister Taro Kono now trying to position himself to the political right of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, publicly suggesting that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Japan should be “reconsidered” from the point of view of “the country’s national security.”

—The Abe government was asked to join the United States, Britain, Australia, and Canada in condemning Beijing’s imposition of its national security law on Hong Kong, and Abe refused to join them, apparently still prioritizing Xi’s possible visit to Japan over any other issue.

—Japan Communist Party again shows Shinzo Abe how pro-democracy leadership speaks out against oppression: “The JCP condemns the Chinese government’s resolution and demands that Beijing immediately stop its move to strengthen measures to suppress human rights in Hong Kong.”

—Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga denies that the US government or the United Kingdom are disappointed in Japan for failing to support their multilateral declaration condemning Beijing’s oppression of Hong Kong. According to Suga, they even “appreciate” Japan’s silence.

Rolling Coverage: Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Elections

—Anti-base forces maintain their majority in Okinawa Prefectural Assembly elections. This is expected to keep Governor Denny Tamaki’s political position strong as he continues to struggle for Okinawa’s self-determination versus Tokyo and Washington’s authoritarian stance.

—The final results of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly elections leave allies of Governor Denny Tamaki in control of the chamber, but with a narrow majority of 25 out of 48 seats.

—Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga confirms there’s no change in the Abe government’s forcible construction of the new US Marines airbase at Henoko. He will “politely explain” to the people of Okinawa why they are wrong to oppose the policy in election after election.

—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declaring victory in the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly elections despite failing to gain a majority: “It was a great achievement that the party significantly expanded its assembly share.” Suga adds Okinawans are coming to accept US military bases.

—Abe government to restart its forcible construction of the US Marine airbase at Henoko tomorrow, June 12, in spite of losing the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly elections less than a week ago. Construction halted on April 17 due to a worker contracting Covid-19.

Politics

—Defense Minister Taro Kono says that it was his own personal initiative to have the Air Self-Defense Force’s Blue Impulse jets do a flyover of central Tokyo on May 29 as a tribute to medical workers battling Covid-19. The initiative was met with mixed reviews.

—With both the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party having come out against it, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is effectively giving up on any notion of changing the start of Japan’s academic year to the autumn. The initiative is politically dead for the time being.

—Extreme rightists including TV “talent” Katsuya Takasu are trying to launch a recall effort against Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura because he offered some financial support to the “anti-Japanese” Aichi Triennale exhibition last year.

—Fumio Kishida is thought to have consolidated the support of both his own Kishida Faction and the Aso Faction in his plans to become Shinzo Abe’s successor as prime minister. He is expected to have Abe’s backing as well, meaning likely inroads into massive Hosoda Faction. Meanwhile, LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai has turned heads by joining a political party for Shigeru Ishiba and declaring him “one of the stars of hope.” This could be setting up an effective Ishiba vs. Kishida leadership battle (Suga-Nikai-Ishiba vs. Abe-Aso-Kishida).

—Shigeru Ishiba making clear that his pitch to become the next prime minister will be based on the policies of decentralizing authority away from Tokyo to the regional governments, and driving economic growth not mainly through exports but through increasing domestic demand.

—The post-Abe leadership race looking increasingly like it will be Fumio Kishida vs. Shigeru Ishiba. Kishida expected to be backed by Shinzo Abe and Taro Aso; Ishiba expected to be backed by Yoshihide Suga and Toshihiro Nikai.

—November 1 is set as the date for the Osaka referendum. This will be the second attempt by the current local leaders to gain a popular mandate for the administrative merger of Osaka prefecture and city, thus creating an Osaka metropolis similar to Tokyo.

—Things just got much worse for LDP lawmakers Katsuyuki and Anri Kawai. Prosecutors have gotten their hands on a “bribe list” in which the names of over a hundred local Hiroshima politicians were noted. It seems that over ¥20 million (US$190,000) in bribes was distributed.

International

—Children rights groups in Japan are opposing efforts by the Foreign Ministry to have Mikiko Otani elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, noting Japan’s record of allowing child abduction and other problems.

—Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga says Japan continues to consider the G7 an “important framework.” At the same time, Suga did not oppose the additional invitees proposed by Donald Trump (Russia, South Korea, Australia, India), describing them as important partners of Japan.

—South Korea says it will be reviving its complaint against Japan at the World Trade Organization over the export controls the Abe government imposed last July. Seoul agreed to drop the WTO complaint last November, but says negotiations with Tokyo have since gone nowhere.

—South Korea courts appear close to executing their Supreme Court’s earlier judgment to seize assets of Nippon Steel over its use of forced labor during the Pacific War. The Abe government is darkly growling that they will retaliate if any seizures occur.

—In an Abe government-backed exhibition in Tokyo about the World Heritage site Gunkanjima, the authorities will claim that the Koreans forced to labor there faced no discrimination at all. But, in fact, hundreds died in coal mines, including from causes such as malnutrition.

—There is confirmation that military drills within Russia’s Eastern Military District, which began on June 2, will include Japan-claimed Kunashir. Live-fire exercises are expected to continue intermittently until the end of the month.

—Shigeru Yokota, father of the North Korea abductee Megumi Yokota, has passed away at age 87, with the fate of his daughter never resolved. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who built his early political career on raising the abductee issue, faces the cameras and gives condolences.

—Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou criticizes Ishigaki city’s proposal to change the name of the Senkaku-Diaoyu-Tiaoyutai islands to “Tonoshiro Senkaku.” She reiterates Taiwan’s claim to ownership of the Japan-controlled uninhabited islets.

—Japanese officials and the International Olympic Committee have agreed to plan for a downsized (what they are calling a “simplified”) Tokyo Olympics next year. If the Olympics are held at all, it is clear that they will be on a smaller scale than originally planned.

—Not “Fake News” after all: Defense Minister Taro Kono announces that the plan to deploy Aegis Ashore facilities to BOTH Akita and Yamaguchi has been cancelled.

Economy

—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe openly opposes raising the minimum wage: “The effects of the coronavirus crisis on employment and the economy are severe; it is a great priority for both the private and public sectors to work to protect employment.”

—Suntory’s Takeshi Niinami tells Reuters that his prediction is that about 20% of all bars and restaurants in Japan will end up going bankrupt over the coronavirus crisis.

—Finance Minister Taro Aso estimates that ¥5 trillion (US$46 billion) will be needed if second and third Covid-19 waves strike Japan. The opposition is suspicious that the government just wants the Diet to write a blank check that the government can spend as it likes.

—Finance Minister Taro Aso: “We’ve succeeded in putting a floor on the economy, which appears to have hit bottom. How strong the recovery will be depends not just on domestic conditions, but also overseas developments.”

—METI Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama says that an investigation of the suspicious Dentsu relief subcontracting deal will be conducted. In true Abe Era fashion, it seems that the investigation of METI’s behavior will be conducted by… well… METI themselves.

—METI Covid-19 relief subcontracting looking increasingly dodgy. When hearings were held about subcontracting to the Service Design Engineering Council, a Dentsu official was present. Ultimately, most of the money and work was indirectly funneled to Dentsu.

—Lawyers for Michael Taylor and Peter Taylor argue that they cannot be extradited to Japan for the clear reason that there is no law on the books criminalizing bail jumping or assisting someone else, in this case Carlos Ghosn, from bail jumping.

—KEPCO reportedly preparing to launch a lawsuit against its own former senior executives for accepting nuclear industry bribes. Prosecutors have refused to pursue these admitted crimes, so this is an odd form of accountability.

GreenTech

—The government is mulling a legal revision that would allow the targets of “cyberbullying” to ask websites and social media companies to hand over the names and telephone numbers of those who are targeting them.

—Bloomberg reports that TEPCO Renewable Power, a division of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), plans to spend more than ¥2 trillion (US$18 billion) over the next ten years on renewable energy sources.

—Tokyo High Court upholds conviction of former Mt. Gox head Mark Karpeles on charges of data manipulation. It is widely believed that the legal system insists on his guilt over something so as to save face on a high-profile prosecution that came up with little or nothing.

Society

—Legislation to ban power harassment at Japanese companies comes into effect. Major firms are required to communicate anti-harassment policies to workers and to set out clear punishments for violators.

—Okayama city announces that it will be the latest local government in Japan to begin issuing same sex partnership certificates, beginning July 1. There are now nearly fifty Japanese local governments that have such policies.

—In a setback for LGBT rights, Nagoya District Court rules that the same-sex partnerships backed by many local governments have no standing under national law, even in cases such as inheritance. Judge: “I cannot recognize same-sex relationships as de facto marriages.”

—Mie Prefecture may enact Japan’s first ordinance banning discrimination against sexual minorities, including the public “outing” of people’s sexual orientation. Experts are being consulted to consider what penalties should apply to those who violate the ordinance.

—An unprecedented Ministry of Labor survey finds that only about 10% of Japanese companies have instituted policies aimed at protecting sexual minorities. The firms which have done so tend to be larger companies, while few smaller companies have such policies.

—Dentsu has evacuated its huge tower headquarters in Shiodome over a bomb threat. The threat stated “a bad company that disturbs the world will be disciplined.” Supposedly, the bomb is set to go off on Sunday, June 7.

—Another half million (515,864) Japanese disappeared from the planet in 2019, as the death rate far exceeds the birth rate. Only 865,234 babies were born in Japan last year, the lowest number by far going back to 1899, which is when such records began to be collected.

—Journalist Shiori Ito files a lawsuit against cartoonist Toshiko Hasumi. Ito argues that a series of cartoons defame her by suggesting that Ito made false rape charges against Shinzo Abe biographer Noriyuki Yamaguchi. Hasumi claims that the cartoons are not of Shiori Ito.

—Shuri Castle has been reopened to the public for the first time since the tragic fire destroyed its main buildings last October. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of the Ryukyu kingdoms.

For breaking news, follow on Twitter @ShingetsuNews