Islamic Elementary School Opens in Tokyo
The International Islamia School Otsuka opens in Tokyo, offering children trilingual education in English, Japanese, and Arabic
US Admiral Testifies on Marines Realignment
US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris, speaking before the US House of Representatives’ Armed Services Committee, reaffirms the plan to transfer some US Marines out of Okinawa to other regions.
Reconstruction Minister Sacked After Fresh Gaffe
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga have repeatedly been warning this particularly gaffe-prone set of Cabinet ministers to exercise caution and to be very careful about what they say in public. Reconstruction Minister Masahiro Imamura, however, didn’t seem to get the memo, and after a fresh gaffe he is swiftly out.
Populism Wins Again in Nagoya
Populism can indeed win elections in Japan, but the problem is that there are so few politicians in this country who seem to have the personal political talents to tap into it.
Tsukuba Science March
People march in Tsukuba, the premier science city of Japan, to support science and fact-based policymaking in the United States and in the world.
Shizuoka Governor Kawakatsu Seeks Third Term
An usually interesting gubernatorial race is shaping up in Shizuoka Prefecture, with sources confirming yesterday that opposition-supported Heita Kawakatsu will be running for a third term in office.
Ruling Party Losing Discipline
It was inevitable at some point, but after more than four years of dominating the political landscape, clear signs are emerging that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is losing its discipline and reverting to some of its bad habits of the past, before they were booted out of power in the 2009-2012 period.
Government Warms to TPP Without United States
The Abe administration is now warming to the notion of moving forward with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pact with the eleven nations other than the United States.
Trump Tax March in Tokyo
Americans march in Tokyo to demand the release of Donald Trump’s tax returns and transparency in US policymaking. One of the key organizers, Jesse Glickstein, speaks to the Shingetsu News Agency.
Goshi Hosono Resigns as Democratic Party Executive
Another prominent Democratic Party conservative offered a resignation today, and defections are ongoing among Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly members. In the near term, these are heavy blows to the party leadership of President Renho and Secretary-General Yoshihiko Noda which might bring them down in the late summer months.