Today in Japan (12.13.17)
A roundup of the most significant news stories from Japan reported on December 13, 2017.
Tag Archives: Shigeru Ishiba
Today in Japan (11.24.17)
A roundup of the most significant news stories from Japan reported on November 24, 2017.
Today in Japan (11.23.17)
A roundup of the most significant news stories from Japan reported on November 23, 2017.
Today in Japan (11.11.17)
A roundup of the most significant news stories from Japan reported on November 11, 2017.
North Korea Tests Power H-Bomb
This Week in Japan is your source for news and information about politics and other happenings in this East Asian island country. This episode covers the Top Five stories of the first week of September 2017.
Japanese Hawks Lifted by Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s comments about the potential need for the United States to retract its responsibility to defend Japan helps conservative Japanese politicians bolster this East Asian nation’s military posture.
Uniformed Officers Gaining Control of Defense Ministry
Uniformed Self-Defense Forces officers are currently demanding a larger role in setting military policies, which will for the first time utilize the security legislation forced through the Diet by the ruling coalition last September. Civilian defense bureaucrats have so far rejected the demands of the uniformed officers, fearing that acquiescing will decisively tilt the power balance between the two sides within the ministry.
Henoko and Ferguson
The various dramas occurring today near Henoko beach, Okinawa, and the city of Ferguson, Missouri, undoubtedly have many points of difference, but it is worth reflecting briefly on some issues that unite these two cases.
Gloves Come Off on Henoko Base Construction
The determination of the leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party to get tough on the Henoko base construction issue is becoming apparent to close observers. It has long been a question whether or not Tokyo was really willing to repress the popular will in Okinawa, which clearly opposes the construction of a new US Marine base, but the message is now coming through more openly: Let Okinawan opinions be damned! The base will be built!
TPP Rush Rattles the Ruling Party
“Joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations is a far-sighted policy,” declared Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to his Cabinet and journalists on Friday, “Japan should play a leading role toward a year-end deal.” The prime minister may be exactly right, but the fact is that very few independent observers have any firm basis for making a judgment. Not only are the TPP talks highly complex, they are also secret and moving very quickly.
