Aso Faction Continues Amid Departures, Mogi Faction Faces Growing Exits

Jan 27, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Following the Liberal Democratic Party's decision to prohibit factional involvement in personnel affairs, known as the dissolution of factions, there has been a surge in members leaving the Aso and Mogi factions, both of which have indicated their intention to continue.

Among these, former Defense Minister Iwaya (岩屋元防衛大臣), a member of the Aso faction led by Deputy Prime Minister Aso, announced his intention to leave the faction during a meeting held in Tokyo on the 26th.

Former Defense Minister Iwaya: "I have stated that I will leave the Shikokai (Aso faction) if it continues to exist."

Additionally, Senator Sekiguchi, chairman of the LDP members of the Mogi faction, announced in a press conference that three senior Senate members of the faction, including himself, intend to leave. With this announcement, the Mogi faction, which already includes members like Kobuchi, the Election Strategy Committee Chairman, and Aoki, the Deputy Secretary-General who have expressed their intention to leave, now faces five departures. This development brings the faction to a critical juncture regarding its continued existence.

Source: テレ東BIZ

Typhoon No. 13 Threatens Japan's Pacific Coast

Large and very strong Typhoon No. 13 (Dolphin) was moving west south of Chichijima as of the 6 a.m. update on August 4, bringing severe weather to the Ogasawara Islands before an expected approach to Okinawa later in the week.

Haneda Airport Tightens Baggage Check-In Rules

Six airlines, including All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and Air Do, will move the baggage check-in deadline for domestic flights at Haneda Airport to 30 minutes before departure from September 1.

Iran Conflict Enters New Phase as Energy Risks Spread

The conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel may be entering a more dangerous phase, with Tehran appearing increasingly willing to initiate attacks rather than merely respond to US strikes, while disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz threaten oil and liquefied natural gas supplies worldwide.

Kumamoto Mall Search Ends With Seven Confirmed Dead

Authorities ended the five-day search and rescue operation at Aeon Mall Kumamoto on August 1 after confirming that all people reported missing had been accounted for, leaving seven dead and five others injured in an explosion that devastated the shopping complex shortly after the powerful Kumamoto earthquake.

Kyushu Shinkansen Reopens Northern Section as Southern Damage Persists

Kyushu Shinkansen services between Hakata and Kumamoto resumed on a reduced schedule on July 31 after a three-day suspension caused by the earthquake, while extensive rail damage has left no timetable for reopening the section south to Kagoshima-Chuo.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

US-Japan Yen Intervention Raises Stakes For Takaichi And BOJ

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi entered August facing a sharper test of her economic leadership after Japan and the United States carried out a rare coordinated currency intervention to support the yen, turning the government’s cost-of-living agenda, fiscal policy and relationship with the Bank of Japan into one of the most politically sensitive issues of her administration.

Trump Calls Yen-Buying Intervention a Sign of Friendship

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States intervened to buy yen because of its strong relationship with Japan, describing the action as a sign of friendship and pledging that Washington would always support the country.

Japan and U.S. Coordinate Intervention for First Time in 28 Years

Japan and the United States conducted coordinated yen-buying intervention in the foreign exchange market to curb the currency's excessive decline, with Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama expected to announce the move on August 3, according to people familiar with the matter.

Bessent Says Yen Is Undervalued in Unusual Currency Remarks

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the yen is undervalued, making an unusually direct assessment of the currency and signaling that Washington is unwilling to accept excessive weakness.

Takaichi Announces 1% Food Consumption Tax From April 2027

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that Japan will cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1% from April 2027, pledging to secure the necessary funding without relying on deficit-financing bonds and to restore the rate to 8% after two years.

Takaichi Tax Cut Raises Stakes As BOJ Meets Under Market Pressure

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moved on July 30 to turn food-tax relief from a campaign promise into government policy, instructing the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to proceed with a temporary cut in the sales tax on food as the Bank of Japan began a policy meeting that could shape the next phase of Japan’s currency, inflation and fiscal debate.

Takaichi Food-Tax Plan Deepens Market Test Ahead Of BOJ Meeting

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moved closer on July 29 to adopting a sharp temporary cut in Japan’s food sales tax, turning cost-of-living relief into the next major political test for her government as markets remained uneasy over the weak yen, rising bond yields and the administration’s expansionary fiscal agenda.

Katayama Moves To Calm BOJ Fears As Takaichi Faces Market Pressure

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government moved on July 28 to reassure investors that it respects the Bank of Japan’s independence, as Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said relations between the government and the central bank remain smooth despite market concern over rising bond yields, yen weakness and the administration’s growth-oriented fiscal agenda.

< 2 3 4 5 >