The central government has called for a revamp of old-fashioned labor practices, taxation and social security systems that have left the nation’s gender gap largely intact for years, taking issue with the stereotypical notion of the roles expected of men and women. A policy blueprint released Friday to promote women’s economic empowerment states that the
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel praised Japan and current leader Fumio Kishida on Wednesday for pledging to bolster the U.S.-Japan alliance by pursuing what Kishida has said would be a “drastic” hike in the country’s defense budget, as China continues its assertive moves in the region. Speaking at a panel discussion with former Prime
The governor of Niigata Prefecture easily defeated his anti-nuclear opponent in an election on Sunday, public broadcaster NHK said, a result that could embolden members of the ruling party who are pushing for the country’s largely idled nuclear energy plants to be revived. Hideyo Hanazumi, who was backed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s ruling Liberal
Singapore’s prime minister warned Thursday that trade and security were being put at risk by U.S.-China tensions and urged better communication between Washington and Beijing to maintain stability and growth in Asia. “If U.S.-China relations continue on this path, it will lead to further bifurcation of technology and splitting of supply chains or even worse,
The approval rating for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Cabinet rose to 61.5%, the highest since he took office in October last year, as the government starts easing COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday. In the two-day telephone survey from Saturday, the rating was up from 58.7% about a month ago. It
U.S. President Joe Biden has embarked on a five-day trip to East Asia, his first visit to the region since he took office, to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific amid the Ukrainian war and an increasingly assertive China. The trip takes him to Seoul then Tokyo, where Biden is also expected to attend
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will attend this year’s IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore — a major international security forum — as the keynote speaker, The Japan Times has learned. The event’s organizer, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), told The Japan Times Thursday that Kishida has confirmed his participation in the 19th iteration of
The Japanese and British governments have resolved the primary jurisdiction issue in talks to conclude a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) that stipulates the legal status of Self-Defense Forces personnel and British troops while in each other’s territory, it was learned Tuesday. The two governments have agreed to grant the primary jurisdiction to the country sending
Naha – Okinawa Prefecture on Sunday marked 50 years since its reversion to Japan from U.S. rule as residents’ frustrations continue over a weak local economy and the ever-present U.S. military bases despite decades of protest. Top officials from the central and prefectural governments, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Gov. Denny Tamaki, are slated
London – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida took his appeal for foreign investment to the bankers and investors of London on Thursday, saying his shift to an upgraded version of capitalism would spur economic growth. In a speech at the medieval Guildhall at the heart of Britain’s financial district, Kishida set out his plan to grow
