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.
Tag Archives: Shinzo Abe
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.
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.
North Korea War Gains Plausibility
It’s Donald Trump more than Kim Jong-Un who brings us a greater possibility of war.
Japan Arab Day 2017
Japan Arab Day 2017 at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Guests included Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi.
Akihisa Nagashima Resigns from the Democratic Party
One of the most prominent conservative lawmakers resigns from the leading opposition Democratic Party. He likely won’t be the last.
Diet Debate Begins on Conspiracy Bill
House of Representatives debate on the Conspiracy Bill begins. The controversial legislation expected to become “the main event” of this Ordinary Diet Session as the government and the opposition parties draw battle lines.
Abe Cabinet Endorses Anti-Democratic Education
The Abe Cabinet itself is now openly endorsing and defending the Imperial Rescript on Education, in spite of the fact that both houses of the Diet denounced the document in June 1948 as a handmaiden to wartime Japanese militarism.
Abe Government Fails in South Korea Diplomacy
The decision by the Abe government to return Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine to Seoul and Consul-General Yasuhiro Morimoto to Busan represents a total failure of Japan’s current approach to diplomatic relations with its closest neighbor, South Korea.
Gearing Up for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Elections
The posters are beginning to appear on the city walls and the various parties are accelerating their preparations. The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly elections are now only three months away, and analysts are wondering just how dominant Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike will become when the contest has concluded.
