Opposition parties split over Abe state funeral as CDP says it won’t attend

Kenta Izumi, head of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks during a committee session at the Lower House on Sept. 8. | BLOOMBERG

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the nation’s largest opposition party, announced Thursday that its executives will not attend the Sept. 27 state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The government’s failure to address party concerns over the funeral’s necessity, the decision-making process for the event and its cost — along with the government’s

Mr. Play-It-Safe prime minister is living dangerously

With few domestic legislative achievements under his belt since becoming prime minister, if Fumio Kishida wants his government to survive, he needs to make bold policy moves.  | BLOOMBERG

Japan’s ranks of short-lived prime ministers can all attest to one thing: Political fortunes in Tokyo can change rapidly. The incumbent Fumio Kishida is now the one feeling the heat. Just two months ago, after a dominant performance in Upper House elections, the talk in Tokyo was of a “golden three years” during which Kishida

At least 146 LDP lawmakers had dealings with Unification Church, survey shows

A Liberal Democratic board meeting at the party's headquarters in Tokyo's Nagatacho district.  | KYODO

At least 146 lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party have had dealings with the Unification Church or affiliated organizations, a Kyodo News survey and interviews revealed, once again highlighting the close ties between the ruling party and the religious body. Politicians’ connections to the church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and

Ex-Unification Church senior official calls donation coercion a serious problem

A believer carries a portrait of Unification Church founder Sun Myung-moon toward an altar during a memorial Mass at the church's Japan headquarters in Tokyo on Sept. 3, 2012.  | REUTERS

The Unification Church acts “clearly against public morality” as it has imposed an unreasonable quota for donations on its churches across Japan, causing many followers to go bankrupt, a former senior official of the religious group has said. In a rare interview given by a former executive of the group under his real name, Masaue

Kishida’s attempt to reset Unification Church issue backfires

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prepares for a group photo with his new Cabinet ministers after reshuffling on Aug. 10. | POOL / VIA BLOOMBERG

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s attempt to use the recent Cabinet reshuffling to avoid public criticism over the ties between lawmakers of his Liberal Democratic Party and the Unification Church seems to have backfired. Links between the ruling party’s members and the religious group, officially called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, have caused

Opposition camp slams reshuffle of Cabinet and LDP executives

Seiji Osaka, an executive of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan | KYODO

Opposition parties on Wednesday criticized Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s reshuffle of his Cabinet and Liberal Democratic Party executives, accusing him of trying to divert the public’s attention from questionable ties between some LDP lawmakers and a religious group known as the Unification Church. Seiji Osaka, executive deputy president of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party

Kishida likely to move trade minister to key LDP executive post

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday. | KYODO

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering naming economy minister Koichi Hagiuda as chairman of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council, sources have said, in a move that could offer hints to the balance of power within the LDP ahead of a reshuffle of the Cabinet and party executives set for Wednesday. Hagiuda belongs

Speculation grows that Komeito leader will stay for further term

Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Friday. | KYODO

Speculation has grown that Natsuo Yamaguchi, whose seventh term as leader of Komeito is set to end in September, may serve another term, although the party had been expected to renew its leadership team. With Komeito’s lackluster performance in the July 10 House of Councilors election having provoked a sense of crisis among members of

Japan to focus on tech from 20 fields as part of economic security drive

A meeting on economic security is held at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on Tuesday. | KYODO

Japan will focus on advanced technology from 20 sectors as part of its efforts to enhance technological development, procurement and leakage prevention, a draft of the basic guidelines for a recently enacted economic security law showed Tuesday. The 20 sectors include artificial intelligence, hypersonic transport, semiconductors, space, public health and cybersecurity, with the government planning

Kishida risks political fight with vow to take up Abe’s legacy

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday. | POOL / VIA REUTERS

Three days after Shinzo Abe’s murder, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed to honor his legacy by taking up a cause that had eluded the late former leader: Revising the country’s pacifist Constitution. Minutes later, Kishida was explaining how hard that might be. Successive leaders, including Abe, have failed to overcome the legal and political hurdles

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