Society

Taro Aso marks 3,000 days in office as Japan's finance minister

Mar 15 (Japan Times) - Finance Minister Taro Aso marked 3,000 days in office Saturday, at a time when he is struggling to rebuild Japan’s finances.

Aso, who broke the postwar tenure record at the key Cabinet post in 2018, is the country’s third-longest-serving finance minister of all time.

He will replace Korekiyo Takahashi, who held the post in the early 20th century, as the second-longest-serving finance minister if he remains in the job until October this year.

After becoming finance minister on Dec. 26, 2012, when former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s second administration started, Aso spearheaded a consumption tax hike twice.

But the government’s debts have risen by about 20% over the eight years. The fiscal condition, worst among advanced nations, has deteriorated further due to huge spending to fight the novel coronavirus crisis.

Tokyo’s Aging Expressway Reborn After Major Overhaul

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New Cabinet Takes On 'Takaichi Color'

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Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

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