33-year-old becomes youngest female mayor in Japan's history
KYOTO, Nov 13 (News On Japan) - A 33-year-old woman has been elected to the top job of Yawata City in Kyoto Prefecture, making her the youngest female mayor in the nation's history.
Shoko Kawada, an independent newcomer and former secretary to a member of the House of Councillors, ran as the successor candidate following the resignation of the previous mayor mid-term. She secured endorsements from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and the Constitutional Democratic Party, defeating candidates from Ishin and the Communist Party to win her first election.
Shoko Kawada said, "I think it will make an impact for young women in Japan, those raising children and working, to have a certain level of authority in city planning and policy-making."
At 33 years old, Kawada becomes the youngest female mayor in Japanese history.
Japan's Diet enacts laws banning use of cannabis except for medicinal purposes
NHK - Dec 06
Japan's Diet has enacted laws banning the use of cannabis except for medicinal purposes.
Remains of crew found after US Osprey crash off Japan
corowafreepress.com.au - Dec 05
The remains of five additional crew members have been found after a US military Osprey aircraft crashed off western Japan, US Air Force Special Operations Command says.
Japan gets 'fossil' award again as climate action slammed
Japan Times - Dec 05
An international environmental group gave Japan the thumbs down with its "fossil" award again on Sunday, criticizing the country for placing emphasis on coal-fired power despite its pledge to "contribute to global decarbonization."
Osprey crash: Search operation failed to find wreckage, missing crew, says Japanese coast guard
CNA - Dec 02
The Japanese coast guard has said that a major search operation has failed to find the main wreckage of a US military aircraft that crashed on Nov 29. There has been one confirmed death so far, with the seven other crew members of the Osprey tilt-rotor plane still missing.
President Erdogan meets with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida
Haber Lütfen - Dec 02
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the World Climate Action Summit organised within the scope of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Japan PM Kishida's popularity further depletes over 'secret funds' scandal
WION - Dec 01
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's popularity has further depleted with fresh corruption allegations emerging this week over the secret funds Tokyo had at its disposal that were allegedly used to sway the vote for the country to host the 2020 Olympics.
Japan scours seabed for US Osprey wreckage
malaymail.com - Dec 01
Japan’s coastguard on Friday scoured the seabed for the wreckage of an Osprey US military aircraft that crashed this week, with still no sign of seven missing airmen.
Former Japanese Foreign Minister Maehara launches new party
NHK - Dec 01
Former Japanese Foreign Minister Maehara Seiji has left the opposition Democratic Party for the People to form a new party with four other members of the Diet.
Japanese lawmakers dial up digital reform in Diet
News On Japan - Nov 30
As Japan's parliament inches towards digitalization, this week eliminating stenographers from the Upper House, smartphones are still banned while laptops are permitted, spurring bipartisan members to take action.
US military aircraft carrying six crashes off Japan
NHK - Nov 30
A US Osprey military aircraft carrying six people on board has crashed into the waters off southwestern Japan. One person is confirmed dead. A rescue effort by the Japanese coast guard is underway.
Russia withdraws from Osaka Expo
NHK - Nov 29
Russia says it will withdraw from the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka. The Russian representative made the announcement at a general meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris on Tuesday.
Montenegro's new prime minister is Saitama University graduate
News On Japan - Nov 27
Miloiko Spajić, who became the Prime Minister of Montenegro last month, studied for four years as an international student in the Faculty of Economics at Saitama University and graduated in March 2012, it has been revealed.
Top diplomats from Japan and China meet in South Korea ahead of 3-way regional talks
AP - Nov 26
Top diplomats from Japan and China met for bilateral talks Saturday as they try to resolve disputes including China's ban on Japanese seafood that has badly hit Japanese exporters.
Japan's $88 billion extra budget clears lower house
Reuters - Nov 25
Japan passed on Friday an extra budget worth around 13.1 trillion yen ($88 billion) aimed at helping households cope with the rising cost of living and corporations boost domestic investment, even amid concerns over the country's worsening finances.
Elite Japanese airborne unit in action, 300 meters above ground
News On Japan - Nov 23
Japan hosted the "Self-Defense Forces Joint Exercise," from October 10, attended by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the U.S. military. JNN reports on Japan's only elite unit, the 1st Airborne Brigade, during their training.
MHI Is Riding the Wave of Japan's Boom in Defense Spending
The Diplomat - Nov 23
Japan’s biggest defense company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has outlined plans for future growth through development investment in new major national defense projects, including standoff missiles and a joint next-generation fighter program with Britain and Italy.
