Revelations since Shinzo Abe death shed light on Moonies’ influence
Details emerge showing Unification church’s political ties go further than Japan’s longest-serving prime minister
Tetsuya Yamagami said he shot Abe because of the former primer minister’s links to the Unification church, also known as the Moonies, which he blamed for bankrupting his family. Yamagami’s mother, a longtime member of the church, reportedly gave it ¥100m [£618,000] in donations two decades ago, plunging their family into poverty.
Three weeks on from Abe’s death, details have emerged showing that the church’s ties to politicians extend well beyond Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, angering voters and raising questions about its influence on the ruling Liberal Democratic party’s policies on gender equality and sexual diversity.
Daily revelations that ruling and opposition party MPs have courted the church – from attending events to enlisting its members in campaigns – in return for mobilising voters have jolted the current prime minister, Fumio Kishida, and his party just weeks after their comfortable victory in upper house elections.
A poll published on Sunday by the Kyodo news agency showed that the approval rating for Kishida’s cabinet had dropped more than 12 percentage points to 51% in a matter of weeks. In addition, more than 53% of respondents said they opposed plans to hold a state funeral for Abe next month. ...continue reading
Japan's new economic stimulus package unveiled
NHK - Sep 26
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has mapped out a new economic stimulus package partly in response to the continued high cost of living. Kishida revealed the outline on Monday evening.
US Ambassador to Japan calls Chinese ban on Japanese seafood 'economic coercion'
republicworld.com - Sep 23
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel accused China on Friday of using "economic coercion" against Japan by banning imports of Japanese seafood in response to the release of treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean, while Chinese boats continue to fish off Japan's coasts.
Japanese lawmaker's comment on Ainu people judged as human rights violation
NHK - Sep 21
Japanese legal authorities have acknowledged that a lawmaker of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party violated human rights by posting a discriminatory comment about the country's indigenous Ainu people.
Ex-lawmaker GaaSyy pleads guilty to intimidation, apologizes
NHK - Sep 20
YouTuber and former Japanese lawmaker GaaSyy has pleaded guilty to habitual intimidation of people online and other charges.
Why does the Japanese left hate Nippon Ishin so much?
The Diplomat - Sep 19
In a competitive democracy, it is common for an up-and-coming political party to be attacked by the party in power, out of fear of being supplanted, but also by the bulk of the opposition parties, concerned that they will be pushed aside into obscurity.
So many women, so little time for Japan's economic patriarchy
forbes.com - Sep 19
The biggest surprise of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s latest cabinet reshuffle is his sudden embrace of “womenomics.”
Japan: Cancer patients continue fight against TEPCO over Fukushima radiation
Al Jazeera - Sep 18
Demonstrators have rallied outside a Tokyo court demanding justice for cancer patients suing - Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) - the operator of the damaged Fukushima Nuclear Plant.
North Korea fires two ballistic missiles with leader Kim away in Russia
malaysianow.com - Sep 13
North Korea fired two ballistic missiles off its east coast, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Japanese Coast Guard said on Wednesday, just hours before leader Kim Jong Un was expected to meet President Vladimir Putin in Russia.
Japan replaces foreign, defence ministers in major reshuffle
CNA - Sep 13
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida replaced his defence and foreign ministers on Wednesday (Sep 13), while increasing the number of women in the cabinet, in a major reshuffle.
Japan PM to replace foreign and defence ministers in cabinet reshuffle
Reuters - Sep 12
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to replace his foreign and defence ministers, public broadcaster NHK reported on the eve of a planned cabinet reshuffle, as the beleaguered premier looks to boost his sagging popularity.
G20 Summit 2023: Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Briefs the Media
Firstpost - Sep 12
As G20 Summit 2023 concludes, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida gives a press briefing.
Japan's FM Hayashi meets Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
NHK - Sep 10
The Japanese foreign minister has told the Ukrainian president that people from the public and private sectors in Japan will support the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Chinese Net users hail 'No Japanese Allowed' restaurant, clashing with authorities
News On Japan - Sep 08
Chinese internet users have rallied behind a yakiniku restaurant in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, after it was ordered by authorities to remove a sign saying, "No Japanese Allowed."
Japan's ex-vice foreign minister arrested over suspected bribery
Nikkei - Sep 07
Tokyo prosecutors arrested lower house member and former parliamentary vice foreign minister Masatoshi Akimoto on Thursday on suspicion of receiving 61 million yen ($410,000) in bribes from a wind power company.
Kishida talks to Chinese premier about Japan's position on treated water release
NHK - Sep 07
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has explained to China's Premier Li Qiang about Tokyo's position on the discharge of treated and diluted water into the sea from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Japan’s quiet leadership: Reshaping the Indo-Pacific
Brookings Institution - Sep 07
On September 6, the Center for East Asia Policy Studies will host Solís to discuss key findings from her book and a panel of experts to evaluate Japan’s evolving role and its impact on the Indo-Pacific region.
