Abe Era Corruption Haunts Kishida Administration
The ghost of Shinzo Abe’s political and financial corruption has again risen up to haunt his successors, staggering the already weak administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Kishida Double-Talk on Coal Phaseout
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived at the COP28 World Leaders’ Summit in Dubai without a concrete plan, making headlines with his commitment to phasing out certain coal-fired power plants. However, the absence of a specific deadline for achieving this goal has left the promise largely devoid of substance.
“Moral Clarity” and Nikki Haley’s Neoconservative Militarism
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has adopted “moral clarity” as one of her leading slogans in her quest to gain the Republican nomination for president. This is a key intellectual concept behind the neoconservative movement which reached a peak under the presidency of George W. Bush; it is effectively a coded call to embrace a forever war in pursuit of US global primacy.
UAW Backs Permanent Gaza Ceasefire
Fresh from successful contract negotiations with major US automakers, the United Auto Workers (UAW) has taken a stand by officially endorsing a permanent ceasefire as Israel resumes its attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Osprey Crash Demonstrates Japan Remains US Client State
The recent crash of a US Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft off the southern coast has once again highlighted Japan’s enduring lack of control over its own territories, even 78 years after the Pacific War.
Painting a Bigger Bullseye on the People of Okinawa
As they have repeatedly done in the past, Washington and Tokyo have conspired to ensure that, should a military conflict break out with mainland China, thousands of Okinawans will be among the first to be killed.
Writing Kishida’s Political Obituary
Across the ideological spectrum, a consensus is emerging: Fumio Kishida is unlikely to last another year as prime minister, and even now, he is only lingering on because no credible and attractive alternative has appeared.
Visible Minorities: Being Thankful Despite Adversity
We all know life can be tough, especially for people in Japan. But practicing being thankful, particularly if you can find someone to thank, isn’t just a matter of good fortune. Psychologically, the basic unit of survival is being part of a pair.
Oxfam Reports on Babies Dying in Besieged Gaza
Oxfam, a British-led confederation of charitable organizations, reports that many babies are dying from “preventable causes” in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli blockade of food, water, and other supplies, as well as the massive bombing campaign, which has uprooted most of the territory’s nearly 2.4 million inhabitants.
Jill Stein Enters 2024 Presidential Race
The entry of Jill Stein into the 2024 US presidential race will provide progressive voters an alternative to both the revanchist narcissism of Donald Trump and the neoconservative militarism of Joe Biden.