Politics
Trump endorses Takaichi before election; announces her March 19 visit
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday endorsed Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of the country's general election and said he will welcome her to the White House on March 19. While Trump is often an outlier, it is very rare for the leader of any country to back a… Read
Japan's pacifist credo at crossroads in election
The general election is testing Japan's pacifist principles, with some conservative parties pushing to review them to better respond to the changing security landscape. Depending on the outcome of Sunday's House of Representatives election, Japan may see an intensified debate on reviewing the country's non-nuclear principles. Under the government of… Read
Drumming, selfie-taking Takaichi charms Gen-Z voters
One compares her to baseball star Shohei Ohtani, another praises her as a "commoner prime minister". Japan's Sanae Takaichi is generating buzz among Gen-Z in a country where politics has long been determined by the aging vote. Despite her ultraconservative policies, Takaichi boasts overwhelming support among young people ahead of… Read
Takaichi slammed for calling election amid peak university exam season
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has come under fire for deciding to hold Sunday's general election during the peak university entrance exam season, with critics saying it has placed an additional burden on students. Takaichi's abrupt announcement in January to dissolve the House of Representatives has also been questioned, as… Read
Japan election debate stalls over definition of 'immigration'
Japan's growing intake of foreign workers has emerged as a key issue taken up by some opposition parties against the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the upcoming general election, but the two sides appear to be talking past each other amid clashing definitions of "immigration." The ultraconservative populist Sanseito party… Read
Short Japan election campaign raises social media stakes
The short campaigning period for Japan's snap general election on Sunday is making social media strategy increasingly important for reaching voters, analysts say, with mixed results among veterans and newcomers alike. While the ruling Liberal Democratic Party soars in media polls with its leader Sanae Takaichi showing strength in her… Read
Handbags and hashtags: Takaichi rides youth-led craze into election
The handbag she carries is sold out, her pink pen has gone viral and even her favorite snacks are in hot demand: Japan's 64-year-old leader Sanae Takaichi has sparked an unlikely youth-led craze that could propel her to a big election win. Polls suggest sanakatsu, roughly translated as 'sanamania', can… Read
Rice policy rekindled ahead of election as Takaichi shifts course
Japan's Feb 8 general election has put rice policy back in the spotlight after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reversed a push toward expanded production and exports, returning to a demand-based output strategy as prices remain high, putting a strain on consumers. Retail rice prices are hovering above 4,000 yen per… Read
Foreigner issue under focus as parties rush to ease worries of Japanese voters
Foreign nationals have increasingly become an issue of focus in Sunday's House of Representatives election, with parties rushing to ease voters' growing concerns by discussing policies about how to manage the diverse group, which is reaching record numbers nationwide. Observers and analysts have warned against categorizing foreigners as a single… Read
Japan to launch probe into large-scale land acquisitions by foreigners
Japan's land ministry will launch a probe into large-scale land acquisitions by foreign nationals, examining data reported in the past few years to gain a clearer picture of the situation, sources close to the matter said Monday. The sources said the survey is set to begin by March and will… Read
