Three Local Government Officials Make Anti-LGBT Statements
In contrast to the recent LGBT-friendly reforms in Shibuya Ward, Setagaya Ward and Takarazuka (who began issuing same-sex partnership certificates), three local…
Tomoko Yamaguchi: “There are different choices in having children.”
Rola (left), Kiko Mizuhara (right) In a special interview in the March issue of the women’s magazine, FRaU, actress Tomoko Yamaguchi (52)…
Former Prime Minister Koizumi Sheds Tears in Carlsbad For US Personnel
According to ANN, on May 17, former prime minister Junichi Koizumi met with US military personnel in Carlsbad near San Diego, who…
Press Conference by Kenji Utsunomiya & Yuzuru Kamoda on Election Deposits Constitutionality Lawsuit
Moderator (David McNeil): Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for turning up for a small but select group. Hopefully we will have an…
Prime Minister Abe and First Lady Holds Cherry Blossom Viewing Party
A cherry blossom viewing party, hosted by Prime Minister Abe and his wife, Akie was held at Shinjuku Gyoen on March 15th….
MP Kensuke Miyazaki Allegedly Commits Infidelity
The February 18 issue of Shukan Bunshun reported that LDP MP Kensuke Miyazaki (35) is having an affair with female entertainer Mayu…
Democratic Party of Japan’s New Poster Receives Complaints Among the Members
One of the new posters of Democratic Party of Japan, the second largest party and the biggest opposition party in Japan, is…
Two Newspapers in Okinawa Held Press Conference at Japan National Press Club
On July 2, the editorial chiefs of two local newspapers in Okinawa, Ryukyu Shimpo and the Okinawa Times, held a joint press…
Parliamentary Debate Has Shifted Its Focus to the Constitutionality of Security Legislation
The Commission on the Constitution of the House of Representatives held a meeting on June 4, where three prominent constitutional scholars were…
Governor of Okinawa Finds Silver Lining During Visit to US
Between May 27 and June 4, the Governor of Okinawa, Takeshi Onaga, visited the US to demand that the US cancel its…
Aftermath of MP Kensuke Miyazaki’s Resignation (Part 2)
In a press conference on February 12, MP Kensuke Miyazaki announced that he would resign from the Parliament as a result of…
1063 Plaintiffs Filed a Lawsuit against the Country over TPP
On May 15, a group of plaintiffs marched towards the Tokyo District Court to file a lawsuit against the country of Japan…
Prime Minister of Thailand Says to Japanese Corporations: “Don’t Forsake Us”
Jiji Tushin reported that on August 21st, at a forum of Japanese corporations held in Bangkok, Prime Minister Prayuth, of the interim…
Save Constitutional Japan
Save Constitutional Japan was founded in 2014 by two Japanese scholars, Professor Emeritus of Tokyo University Yasuhiro Okuhira, a specialist in Constitutional…
A Professor from New Zealand Estimates that TPP Is Likely to be Finalized in May, 2015
Tokyo Shimbun reports that on January 24, during her speech in the meeting of the organization demands TPP’ judicial review in Tokyo,…
Foreign Media’s Interest in Japanese Political Pressure on Domestic Media
Foreign media outlets’ interest in Japanese government pressure on media is growing. On May 16, The Economist published an article on Japanese…
Prime Minister Apologizes for Heckling MP
MP Kiyomi Tsujimoto in shock On May 27, while MP Kiyomi Tsujimoto was speaking in parliament, Prime Minister Abe heckled her by…
“I am not Abe” Campaign Spreads in Japan
There is a new movement to show disapproval of Abe’s actions during his visit to the Middle East. The movement was triggered…
The Security Legislation Adopted in a Storm of Screams
The protesting MPs raised banners that said: “強行採決反対” (meaning roughly, “we oppose ramming the legislation through”), “自民党感じ悪いよね” (meaning roughly, “the Liberal Democratic…
Security Legislation Adopted in the Lower House
On July 16, the Security Legislation passed the lower house of the parliament. The legislation was supported by the governing coalition parties…