Japan eyes 'quasi-refugee' status for people fleeing conflicts
PM Kishida says envisioned system would not discriminate against certain countries
Nikkei -- Apr 17
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday the government is considering creating a more loosely defined refugee category to accept people fleeing conflicts in light of the humanitarian crisis stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine.
"The Justice Ministry is considering a system for accepting people as refugee equivalents from a humanitarian standpoint even if they do not fall under" the 1951 refugee convention, Kishida said at a meeting in Niigata.
The prime minister stressed the envisioned system would not discriminate against certain countries, adding that Japan will strive to do its work in accordance with the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Japan has accepted more than 500 evacuees fleeing the war in Ukraine since it began in late February.
Kishida orders review of COVID classification
yomiuri.co.jp - Aug 18
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has asked relevant ministers to review the need for mandatory reporting of coronavirus cases, among other measures, aiming to reduce the burden on public health centers and medical institutions.
Health ministry to approve online sales of antigen coronavirus test kits
NHK - Aug 18
Japan's health ministry has decided to approve online sales of antigen coronavirus test kits if they meet certain conditions such as their accuracy is on a par with government-approved products.
State funeral for former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe faces growing public backlash
South China Morning Post - Aug 18
Opposition is growing in Japan over the decision to hold a state funeral for the late former leader Shinzo Abe.
Japan’s government launches competition to get people drinking
theguardian.com - Aug 18
The Japanese government has launched a nationwide competition calling for ideas to encourage people to drink more alcohol after a change in attitudes among the young resulted in a slide in tax revenues.
Ex-Olympic organizing committee director, 3 others arrested
NHK - Aug 17
A former director of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has been arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes.
Japanese residents and ministers visit controversial WWII Shrine
WION - Aug 15
In Japan, several politicians and thousands of residents visited Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni shrine on the occasion of 77th anniversary of Japan's surrender which ended the 2nd World War.
Japan new cabinet has at least 20 deputies linked to Unification Church
Nikkei - Aug 14
At least 20 Japanese lawmakers appointed as deputies for cabinet members confirmed Friday that they had links to a controversial religious group, after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for a self-check and review to appease a wary public.
Unification Church says Japan members received death threats
Japan Today - Aug 11
Unification Church followers in Japan and their families have faced harassment and death threats since the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the organization's Japanese branch said Wednesday.
Kishida enlists seasoned hands to tackle energy, defense
Nikkei - Aug 11
As Japan faces a myriad of challenges from the coronavirus to an increasingly complex security landscape, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has packed his cabinet with seasoned lawmakers who he hopes can tackle them head-on.
Japanese PM shakes up cabinet amid anger over Unification church links
theguardian.com - Aug 10
Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has removed ministers associated with the Unification church in a cabinet reshuffle aimed at reviving his fortunes amid a public outcry over his party’s ties to the religious movement.
Nagasaki calls for peace on 77th anniversary of atomic bombing
NHK - Aug 09
People in Japan are remembering the victims of one of history's most catastrophic wartime attacks. Tuesday marks 77 years since the atomic bombing of Nagasaki during World War Two.
Support for Japan PM’s cabinet lowest since it was formed: NHK reports
brecorder.com - Aug 09
Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida slid to the lowest level since he took office last October, with voters questioning his decision to hold a state funeral for former premier Shinzo Abe, public broadcaster NHK said on Monday.
On Japan's Yonaguni island, fears of being on the front line of a Taiwan conflict
NPR - Aug 06
YONAGUNI ISLAND, Japan — For years it was known as the "Two Gun" island – one gun for each of the two policemen stationed here.
Minister denies politics played role in ex-Unification Church's name change
NHK - Aug 06
A Japanese Cabinet minister has denied that politics played any role in a decision by the government to certify the then-Unification Church's name change in 2015.
Japan to roll out Omicron-targeted COVID vaccine as early as Oct.
Kyodo - Aug 06
The Japanese government plans to roll out a new type of COVID-19 vaccine considered effective for the Omicron variant as early as October, sources familiar with the matter said Friday.
Japan's prime minister calls for 'immediate cancellation' of Chinese military drills
FRANCE 24 English - Aug 06
Japan's prime minister on Friday condemned China's firing of ballistic missiles during military drills around Taiwan, calling them a "serious problem that impacts our national security and the safety of our citizens."
