Koike's allies win majority in Tokyo election

Jul 03, 2017 | News On Japan

Jul 03, 2017 (NHK) - Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike's new regional party and allies scored a landslide victory in Sunday's metropolitan assembly election.

Tomin First led by Koike allowed 6 independents into the party bringing it to a total of 55 seats. It is now the assembly's largest party.

The party and its allies have 79 of the 127 seats.

The Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the biggest force with 57 seats before the election, but now holds only 23 seats.

Koike said she is very grateful for the better-than-expected results thanks to the support of Tokyo residents. She also said she is feeling the weight of the responsibility.

The LDP Executive Acting Secretary-General, Hakubun Shimomura, said he will resign as chairman of the party's Tokyo chapter. Others in the LDP say the outcome reflects voter anger towards the Abe administration and are calling for a cabinet reshuffle.

The LDP has been dogged by controversies over plans to open schools in western Japan. Opposition lawmakers allege government officials gave favorable treatment to school operators who support the prime minister.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Typhoon No. 7 (Mekkhala) Forecast to Strengthen Further Before Approaching Okinawa

Typhoon No. 7 (Mekkhala) was moving west-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour over waters east of the Philippines as of 3 a.m. on June 22, maintaining strong intensity with a central pressure of 955 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 40 meters per second, and is forecast to strengthen further as it raises the risk of impacts on Okinawa later this week.

Japan Crush Tunisia 4-0 to Move Closer to World Cup Knockout Stage

Japan delivered their strongest performance of the World Cup so far with a 4-0 victory over Tunisia in Monterrey on June 21, moving to four points in Group F and putting themselves in a strong position to reach the knockout stage ahead of their final group match against Sweden.

Risk Of Major Mosquito Outbreak This Summer

Mosquitoes are appearing earlier than usual this year, raising fears of a major summer outbreak as experts warn that warm May weather and repeated light rain have created ideal breeding conditions across residential areas.

Bears Growing More Aggressive in June and July

Bear attacks and sightings are increasing across Japan, with multiple people injured on June 17 and experts warning that bears are becoming more accustomed to human environments, potentially leading to more dangerous and unpredictable encounters in the years ahead.

Supreme Class Debuts on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen

JR Central and JR West on June 17 announced pricing and service details for the new private-room seating that will be introduced on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen from October, creating a new top-tier class above the existing Green Car service.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Hokkaido Horse Town Welcomes Indian Workers

Urakawa, a Hokkaido town of about 10,000 people known as one of Japan's leading thoroughbred breeding centers, is seeing a rapid increase in Indian residents as local farms turn to experienced overseas workers to offset a shrinking pool of Japanese horse trainers.

Body of Man Found in Freezer at Kobe Apartment

A damaged and badly decomposed body of an adult man was found inside a large freezer near the entrance of a locked apartment in Kobe on June 20, prompting police to investigate the case as a possible crime.

Japan's Imperial Couple Rekindle Ties With Dutch Royal Family

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, on a state visit to the Netherlands, reunited with Princess Catharina-Amalia, the Dutch princess who was photographed holding hands with Princess Aiko 20 years ago, in a visit that highlighted the long friendship between the Japanese imperial family and the Dutch royal house.

Tokyo Elementary School Fire Injures 11 Pupils And Teachers

Eleven pupils and teachers were injured after a fire broke out at Takinogawa Daisan Elementary School in Tokyo's Kita Ward at around 11 a.m. on June 19, forcing more than 300 children to evacuate and briefly trapping several pupils on a narrow ledge outside a fourth-floor classroom.

Cargo Ship Runs Aground Off Toshima

A cargo ship carrying vehicles from Osaka to Tokyo ran aground off Toshima in the Izu Islands before dawn on June 19, creating an unusual scene in which a large freighter appeared to have docked at a part of the island with no port.

Mother of Divine Messenger Arrested Over Teen's Captivity

Nara Prefectural Police have arrested the mother of a man accused of leading a group that allegedly confined the 19-year-old son of a company executive, expanding an investigation that has already led to the arrests of the victim's father and six others.

Man Surrenders in Theft of 800 Agricultural Containers

A suspect has surrendered to police in connection with the theft of about 800 agricultural containers in Gyokuto, Kumamoto Prefecture, a case that caused losses estimated at around 1 million yen and left the victimized company struggling to replace the stolen equipment.

Japanese Man Arrested as Mastermind of Cambodia-Based Scam Network

A Japanese man suspected of serving as a key coordinator for a Cambodia-based fraud syndicate that allegedly caused losses totaling billions of yen was arrested by Japanese authorities after being deported from Thailand on June 16.

< 2 3 4 5 >