Tag - diet

 
 

DIET

JAPAN / Politics
Jul 22, 2019
Abe’s ruling coalition victorious, but pro-revision forces suffer electoral setback in drive to amend Constitution
To many voters, the election was a chance to endorse or repudiate the Abe administration’s performance since he returned to power in December 2012.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 21, 2019
Record 17 million voters cast ballots early for Upper House election
The number of people who cast their ballots for Sunday’s House of Councillors poll under the country’s early-voting system totaled 17,062,771 — a record high for an Upper House election, the internal affairs ministry said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 18, 2019
With pacifist Constitution at stake, apathy reigns in Japan ahead of Upper House election
Politically speaking, the upcoming Upper House election is a huge deal for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. After all, it’s a vote that could determine the fate of his long-held ambition to amend the postwar pacifist Constitution.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 17, 2019
Candidates with disabilities hope to lay foundation for inclusive Diet in Upper House election
On a recent Wednesday morning, Rie Saito wasn’t giving a lengthy, energetic speech about her campaign pledges through a loudspeaker, unlike most of her competitors on the stump.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 13, 2019
Abe avoids sticky Iran, territorial issues in campaign speeches for Japan’s Upper House election
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears to be avoiding discussing Iran and Japan’s territorial dispute with Russia in his campaign speeches for the July 21 House of Councilors election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 8, 2019
Abe calls for constitutional amendments proposals to be debated in Diet
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday demanded that the Diet discuss his Liberal Democratic Party’s proposals for constitutional amendments.
EDITORIALS
Jul 4, 2019
Yet another test of Abe’s policies
This month’s Upper House election will give voters another opportunity to cast judgment on the 7-year-old Abe administration.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 26, 2019
Abe looks to secure voter mandate for ‘stability’ in Upper House vote as Diet session wraps up
On Wednesday, the government formally determined that the Upper House election will take place July 21, preceded by campaigning that would kick off July 4.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2019
New law holds government responsible for teaching Japanese to all foreign residents
The legislation places the onus for providing learning opportunities on the state but does not contain any concrete measures to fund.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 19, 2019
Abe says snap election ‘nowhere on my mind,’ but few likely to take his words at face value
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking to quell speculation he may dissolve the Lower House to coincide with July’s pre-scheduled Upper House poll in a so-called “double election.”
BUSINESS
Jun 7, 2019
Japanese government adopts draft bill to create high-tech ‘supercities’
The government on Friday adopted a draft bill to realize its “supercity” initiative to create cities that make use of artificial intelligence, big data and other advanced technologies.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 6, 2019
Speculation grows in Japan that Diet session will be extended to enable double election
Speculation within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party over a possible extension of the current regular Diet session, a move that could result in a double election this summer, has grown ahead of the scheduled end of the 150-day session on June 26.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 1, 2019
Japanese government unveils measures aimed at revitalizing the economy, including increase of minimum wage
The government unveils a draft package of measures aimed at revitalizing the economy, including raising minimum wages, supporting the “employment ice age generation” and promoting online administrative procedures.
EDITORIALS
May 30, 2019
Mixed ruling on eugenics victims
A Sendai court ruled that the constitutional rights of victims who were sterilized under the eugenics law were violated, but rejected their demand for redress because the statute of limitations had already expired.
JAPAN
May 29, 2019
Japan enacts bill to allow use of smartphones under some circumstances in self-driving cars
The Diet passed into law Tuesday a bill allowing drivers to use their smartphones while their cars are traveling autonomously under certain circumstances and if they are able to shift to manual driving immediately during an emergency.
JAPAN / Politics
May 25, 2019
Japan’s ruling bloc to delay submission of bill to revise referendum law
The ruling bloc has decided not to submit a bill to revise the country’s referendum law to the ongoing ordinary Diet session, informed sources have said.
JAPAN / Politics
May 25, 2019
Abe says double election not necessarily in the cards even if tax hike is delayed
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he will not necessarily call a Lower House election even if his government decides to delay an unpopular consumption tax hike planned for Oct. 1.
JAPAN / Politics
May 21, 2019
In joint resolution, LDP and Komeito rebuke lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama over ‘war’ comment
The ruling coalition said the comment made by lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama “runs counter to pacifism” and “significantly undermines Japan’s national interest.”
JAPAN / Politics
May 18, 2019
Possible no-confidence motion against Abe Cabinet could trigger snap election, Japan’s top government spokesman says
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga suggests Prime Minister Shinzo Abe might call a snap election for the House of Representatives if opposition parties submit a no-confidence motion against his Cabinet.
EDITORIALS
Apr 29, 2019
Sterilization relief won’t end the issue for victims
To avoid repeating the same kind of policy mistakes, the government must make efforts to identify how and why such a policy was instituted and maintained for decades, and highlight the responsibility of each of the parties involved.

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival