Prime Minister Takaichi Sends Video Message to Pro-Revision Rally

May 03, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said discussions toward a decision on constitutional revision would be advanced in the Diet, as she delivered a video message to a pro-revision rally held in Tokyo on May 3rd, Constitution Memorial Day.

Speaking from overseas where she is currently visiting, Takaichi pointed to shifts in the international situation and Japan’s security environment, saying conditions are “completely different from 79 years ago” when the Constitution was enacted.

Takaichi said the Constitution should, in principle, be updated periodically in line with the demands of the times, adding that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party would continue to provide careful explanations to the public nationwide regarding the need for revision.

She also stated that discussions aimed at reaching a decision would be promoted in the Diet with the cooperation of multiple parties.

The rally was attended not only by members of the ruling coalition, including the Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin, but also by Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki.

Separately, at a gathering of those opposed to constitutional revision held in Tokyo, senior figures from opposition parties including the Constitutional Democratic Party took the stage.

Constitutional Democratic Party executive Yoshida said the party was determined to devote its full efforts to protecting and making use of the Constitution rather than changing it.

Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura called for expanding what she described as overwhelming public opinion against constitutional revision and military expansion across the country.

Opposition leaders criticized Takaichi and the ruling parties for pushing ahead with revision efforts.

Source: FNN

Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Shakes Central Japan

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan early on November 8th, registering an upper 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale in Aichi Prefecture and injuring at least 21 people, while damaging buildings and disrupting Shinkansen and conventional railway services across the region.

Quake Disrupts Rail and Airport Services

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake that struck central Japan at 1:04 a.m. on Sunday, November 8th, caused widespread transport disruption across the Tokai region, with Tokaido Shinkansen services delayed by up to an hour, major JR and private railway lines suspended, subway services disrupted in Nagoya, and rail access to Chubu Centrair International Airport cut off during the morning.

Putin Places Japan Tobacco Under Russian Control

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree placing the Russian operations of Japan Tobacco (JT) under the temporary management of a local company, effectively stripping the Japanese tobacco giant of control over its business in the country and prompting a formal protest from Tokyo demanding that the measure be immediately withdrawn.

Bears May Know When Astringent Persimmons Become Sweet

Bears preparing for winter hibernation may be able to determine when astringent persimmons have lost their bitterness and become suitable to eat, according to research by the University of Hyogo, which suggests that prioritizing the removal of sweet persimmon trees could help prevent bears from entering residential areas.

Japan's Tax Relief Plan Sparks Debate Over Middle Income Threshold

Japan's government is facing growing pressure from opposition lawmakers to clarify who will qualify for a new financial support program and how much they will receive, as deliberations on legislation to reduce the consumption tax on food and introduce payments for low- and middle-income earners enter their final stages in the House of Representatives.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Japan Approves 10 Billion Yen in Emergency Cybersecurity Funding

The Japanese government approved the allocation of 10 billion yen from its fiscal 2026 general account reserve funds on November 6 to strengthen cybersecurity measures, including inspections of vulnerabilities in government computer systems and upgrades to security equipment.

Food Tax Reduction Bill Clears Lower House Committee

A government bill to reduce Japan's consumption tax on food from 8% to 1% for two years starting in April 2027 was approved by the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Affairs on November 6, with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party securing a majority in favor of the legislation.

Japan to Establish Cyber Rescue Team to Combat Rising Cyberattacks

The Japanese government is preparing to establish a new cybersecurity response team comprising experts from the public and private sectors, with plans to dispatch specialists to companies and organizations facing serious cyberattacks following a series of unauthorized intrusions and information leaks.

Japan Introduces AI to Reduce Civil Servants' Workloads

Japan's Digital Agency began offering a trial version of a generative artificial intelligence application on October 30 to help government officials prepare responses to parliamentary questions, aiming to reduce the workload of approximately 180,000 government employees and address the long working hours faced by national civil servants.

Japan's Tax Relief Plan Sparks Debate Over Middle Income Threshold

Should City Councilor Remove His Mask?

A city council in Hyogo Prefecture has postponed a decision on whether newly elected councilor and professional wrestler Billyken Kid, 52, should be allowed to wear his trademark mask during assembly sessions, following his first-place finish in the Kawanishi City Council election held in October.

Protesters Rally to Defend Japan's Pacifist Constitution on 80th Anniversary

Japan marked the 80th anniversary of the promulgation of its Constitution on November 3rd, with demonstrators gathering outside the National Diet to defend its pacifist principles as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes for constitutional revision and an early parliamentary proposal.

Japan Faces Diplomatic Test as Putin Eyes International Stage

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held rare bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 30 and 31, raising questions about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could return to major international summits and how Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would respond to a possible encounter with the Russian leader.

< 2 3 4 5 >