To Bring Abductions Victims Home, Speak Out and Take Risks
Sakie Yokota, the mother of Megumi Yokota, celebrates her 90th birthday on February 4. Her daughter is one…
Economy as Election Issue: Why Tax Cuts are a Risky Proposition
The next Lower House election was formally announced on January 27. Parties from all sides, including the ruling…
Trial balloon:Â Japan PM Takaichi contemplates Feb. snap election
On the evening of Friday, January 9, the Yomiuri Shimbun issued a news flash for a report saying that Prime Minister Sanae…
Japan’s PM, women MPs, call for more toilets
Nearly 60 women lawmakers in Japan, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, have submitted a petition calling for more…
Japan’s leader has had a tricky start. But the public loves her.
In a show of force against Tokyo, Russian bombers joined Chinese air patrol for a joint flight around…
Enter Sanae: How Heavy Metal Shaped the PM’s Politics
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, known among fans as a devoted metalhead, has long been passionate about heavy metal…
Japan’s Conservatism and the Making of a Modern State
The recent Liberal Democratic Party leadership race has reignited debate over what conservatism truly means. For me, Japan’s…
Sanae Takaichi poised to become Japan’s first woman PM as vote set for October 21
Japan’s lower house will vote on October 21 to select the next Prime Minister. The outcome could see…
LDP Leadership Hopefuls, Take a Stand on North Korean Nuclearization
Lawmakers vying to lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) need to speak out about national security. So too…
The Blind Spot: US Liberal Bias and the Reality of Japanese Politics
My longtime acquaintance, Clyde Prestowitz, voiced his frustration that he could make no sense of Japanese politics by…
Last Chance for LDP to Restore Political Capital Squandered by Ishiba
Following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s announcement of his intent to resign, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) called an…
Who’s Afraid of Sanseito? Japan’s New Conservative Party and Its Policies
As Japan heads into a national election, one unexpected political force is gaining ground – Sanseito (参政党). This…