Politics | Page 3

Former Japanese soldier declares war on sexual abuse in the military
South China Morning Post - Feb 28
Since she was a child, Rina Gonoi had dreamed of joining the Japanese military. What she could not have expected was the daily sexual harassment she would endure after finally making it happen in 2020, according to her account.

Japan plans to acquire up to 400 Tomahawk missiles from US
NHK - Feb 28
The Japanese government plans to acquire up to 400 US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to help boost counterstrike capabilities.

Japan and Albania vow stronger sanctions against Russia
Japan Times - Feb 23
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, on Wednesday affirmed that their countries will work together in strengthening sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Will GaaSyy Continue to Betray Hopes of Those Who Elected Him?
The Japan News - Feb 23
If a lawmaker continues to be absent from all Diet sessions and shows disrespect for the legislature, it is no surprise for them to face disciplinary action. The NHK Party and GaaSyy, whose real name is Yoshikazu Higashitani, a member of the House of Councillors, must take the discipline seriously.

Suspicious metal ball found on Japanese shore
meghalayamonitor.com - Feb 22
The Japanese police have restricted access to Enshuhama Beach in the city of Hamamatsu, Japan's prefecture of Shizuoka, after a suspicious ball about 1.5 meters in diameter, believed to be made of metal, was found on the shore, media reported on Tuesday.

Japan govt. to review coronavirus measures other than mask-wearing
NHK - Feb 21
Japan's health minister, Kato Katsunobu, says the government will review measures other than mask-wearing that were put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

YouTuber-turned-lawmaker ordered to apologize for not attending Diet
Kyodo - Feb 21
The disciplinary committee of Japan's upper house agreed Tuesday to order a YouTuber-turned-lawmaker living abroad to offer an apology in parliament for not attending any sessions since he was elected to the Diet last year.

North Korea fires two more missiles into its 'firing range' of the Pacific
Reuters - Feb 20
North Korea launched two more ballistic missiles off its east coast on Monday, with the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un saying Pyongyang's use of the Pacific as its "firing range" would depend on the behaviour of U.S. forces.

North Korea launches missile after warning about military drills
Al Jazeera - Feb 19
North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile into the sea off Japan’s west coast after warning of a strong response to upcoming military drills by South Korea and the United States.

Japan PM Kishida offers $8.5 million in humanitarian aid to quake-hit Turkey
NHK - Feb 18
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has offered emergency humanitarian aid worth about 8.5 million dollars to earthquake-stricken Turkey.

Japan recounted its islands. Now geographers say there may be 7,000 more of them
npr.org - Feb 18
The number of islands in Japan is expected to more than double after 7,000 new islands it didn't know existed were discovered.

Japan weighs lifting age of consent from 13
Japan Today - Feb 18
A Japanese justice ministry panel on Friday proposed raising the country's age of consent, currently among the world's lowest at just 13, as part of a major overhaul of sex crime legislation.

Kishida vows to boost child-rearing budget to 4% of GDP
Kyodo - Feb 15
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Wednesday to boost Japan's budget for child-rearing to 4 percent of the country's gross domestic product to tackle the falling birthrate, but he did not elaborate on how to secure the costs.

Japan suspects China flew 3 spy balloons over territory in 2019-2021
Japan Today - Feb 15
Japan's government said Tuesday that three unidentified flying objects spotted over the nation's territory in three years from 2019 are "strongly suspected" to have been Chinese spy balloons.

Japan names academic Ueda as next central bank governor
Reuters - Feb 14
Japan's government named academic Kazuo Ueda as its pick to become next central bank governor, a surprise choice that could heighten the chance of an end to its unpopular yield control policy.

Chinese woman 'buys' uninhabited Japan island, triggers stir
myind.net - Feb 14
A Chinese woman triggered a stir across social media after revealing her purchase of a deserted island in Japan's Okinawa prefecture.